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West Ham United are interested in a swoop to sign an experienced player, but a fresh report has revealed that they aren’t the only club who want him in the Premier League.

Who are West Ham linked with?

Since the summer, David Moyes has appeared keen to bolster his defensive ranks having been credited with an interest in Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Fiorentina’s Martinez Quarta at centre-back, but there is also another area of the pitch he’s looking to target.

The Irons have reportedly recently sent scouts to watch Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, but with Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United also keeping close tabs, the boss may have to find an alternative should he fail to secure his services.

One player who he could turn his attention towards is Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips who despite still having another five years remaining on his deal (Man City contracts), could be set to depart having made zero starts and just three substitute appearances in the top-flight this season (WhoScored – Phillips statistics).

Kalvin Phillips transfer update

According to The Sun, who have shared a transfer update on Phillips, West Ham and two other clubs, one in the top-flight and the other overseas, are plotting a swoop for the 27-year-old in January:

“Several clubs were interested in the summer, but the midfielder insisted he wanted to stay and fight for his place at City. Yet he is no nearer forcing his way in, and knows playing cameo roles for the rest of the season is likely to affect his England hopes.

"Phillips still has four-and-a-half years left on his £150,000-a-week contract, and City were resigned to paying a huge chunk of that to smooth an exit path. Yet City insiders claim the player is ready to accept around half that figure to get his career moving in the right direction again.”

What is Kalvin Phillips' style of play?

Being a defensive midfielder, Phillips is naturally stronger in that aspect of his game and he has excellent calmness and composure on the ball, where he’s currently recording a 90% pass success rate, and his versatility also reflects where his best qualities lie.

The Three Lions international has the ability to operate at the heart of the backline alongside three roles in the centre of the park (Transfermarkt – Phillips statistics), with some of his classic performances having previously seen him dubbed a “Rolls Royce” by journalist Josh Bunting, such is his intelligence and smoothness on the ball.

Phillips actually shares the same representative, CAA Stellar, as James Ward-Prowse (West Ham agents), so this existing connection that his management already have to the club could give the board a small advantage should they try to get a deal over the line in January.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s boss at Al-Nassr, Luis Castro, is “not afraid of being fired” after suffering AFC Champions League penalty shootout heartache.

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Dreams of continental glory dashedCame unstuck in shootout with Al AinStill have silverware to chase downWHAT HAPPENED?

CR7 had headed into the second leg of a quarter-final clash with Al Ain vowing to overturn a 1-0 deficit. He delivered on that promise in part, as a thrilling 4-3 victory took the tie to spot-kicks, but Al-Nassr's dreams of savouring continental glory are over.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT CASTRO SAID

That is because – despite Ronaldo converting from 12 yards in extra-time and in a shootout – Al-Nassr missed three penalties to bow out of the Champions League. Castro said afterwards: “Football justice was not with us. We practised penalty kicks and the players have the responsibility to take them. Individual mistakes are our responsibility, including injuries and suspensions. We had 30 shots on Al Ain's goal, we had opportunities in the game and the second half was better than the first. These are difficult moments for us, but I congratulate the players on the game, taking into account the difficulties we suffered.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Castro added on the questions of his future, with the Portuguese under pressure to deliver tangible success: “My only sadness is not being able to send Al-Nassr fans home happy. We may still be able to win the Copa del Rey and the Super Cup, but we may also not win. If you want to know if my work is good or bad, ask the players about my work. I am not afraid of being fired. My presence at Al-Nassr is because of my hard work, and I am not here just for the results. The Arab world debates results, not actions. Life is not just this.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR AL-NASSR?

Al-Nassr will be back in action on Friday when facing Al-Ahli. Saudi Pro League title glory is already beyond them, with Al-Hilal having opened up a 12-point lead at the summit as they remain unbeaten through 23 top-tier fixtures this season.

The fact that Jonny Evans has been a regular feature in Erik ten Hag's Manchester United squad this season probably paints the perfect picture of the disarray that the Red Devils have found themselves in, losing four of their first seven Premier League games. Though decimated by injuries at times, United have still not been up to standard, leaving the door open for January reinforcements.

It looks likely to arguably be one of the most important transfer windows of Ten Hag's United tenure, especially if his side remains in crisis mode. With that said, reports suggest that the Red Devils have already made their first move for one particular target, who they could push on for come the winter window.

What's the latest Man Utd transfer news?

There's no hiding for Manchester United this season – they spent big in the summer. Ten Hag secured the majority of his transfer targets. Whether that be Mason Mount or Rasmus Hojlund, the Dutchman got what he desired. So, just how things have gone so horribly wrong so far this season is anyone's guess. But, the transfer market could hold the solutions to United's problems.

They have particularly struggled defensively this season, and have had their depth exposed in central defence, with Evans, at 35 years old, forced into the side at times. That depth could be solved by the potential arrival of Goncalo Inacio, however.

Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke has provided an Inacio transfer update, reporting that Manchester United have seemingly made their first move by scouting the defender in recent weeks, who has a £52m release clause.

Amid interest from the Premier League, Sporting Club have reportedly become resigned to losing the 22-year-old, providing both United and Liverpool, who are also interested in the Portugal international, with a major boost. If the two rivals go head-to-head for Inacio's signature, it will certainly spice things up in the January transfer window, that's for sure.

How good is Goncalo Inacio?

Starting all seven games in the Premeira Liga with Sporting CP sitting in top spot by a point, Inacio's importance in Portugal has far from decreased this season. Statistically speaking, too, Inacio has outperformed both Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, as well as Victor Lindelof, as per FBref.

Player

Progressive Carries

Progressive Passes

Blocks

Interceptions

Goncalo Inacio

16

59

7

6

Raphael Varane

6

26

4

1

Lisandro Martinez

6

26

4

2

Victor Lindelof

4

12

4

1

It's the types of performances that he is putting in this season which has seen Inacio earn significant praise, including from analyst Raj Chohan, who labelled the player as a "dominator". With that said, Manchester United could be keen to get any deal wrapped up as smoothly as possible, especially with Liverpool potentially sniffing around, looking to add to their own defensive options. When the January window opens, Ten Hag will be well aware of just how important it is that United get things right.

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Eduardo Barros não resistiu a mais um revés na temporada e deixou o comando técnico do Athletico-PR em decisão tomada na última quinta-feira (22).

Como Paulo Autuori já havia sido contratado recentemente para assumir o cargo de diretor técnico e apesar do próprio ter declarado durante sua passagem pelo Botafogo que seria seu último trabalho à beira do gramado, o homem forte do Furacão, Mario Celso Petraglia, esclareceu que ele seguirá como dirigente, acumulando a função de cartola e técnico.

Inicialmente, a previsão é que essa manobra tenha duração até fevereiro de 2021, data de término do Brasileirão.

-Ele (Autuori) não veio para o Athletico-PR para ser treinador. Ele já encerrou sua carreira nesta atividade, e nós também devemos contratar outro profissional. Mas pela situação atual, pelas dificuldades, pela posição que estamos, por estarmos disputando três competições em um ano que não nos preparamos para isso, temos que nos voltar um pouco para dentro e nos prepararmos para 2021.Então chegamos à conclusão que o melhor será que Paulo Autuori acumule essa função até o término dos campeonatos que estamos disputando, especialmente o Brasileirão. O Athletico irá contratar auxiliares para ele, mas o técnico será ele. Em fevereiro contrataremos um treinador de campo e o Autuori ficará exclusivamente dedicado a sua função de diretor técnico – explicou Petraglia.

Além de ter de reabilitar o time no Brasileirão com a péssima campanha feita até aqui (ocupante da zona de rebaixamento em 17º lugar com 16 unidades), o trabalho de Autuori certamente também será no aspecto anímico pensando em confrontos decisivos na Copa do Brasil (enfrenta nas oitavas o Flamengo) e na Copa Libertadores onde terá pela frente, também na fase de oitavas de final, o River Plate.

RelacionadasFutebol LatinoJosé Calil analisa as oitavas de final da Copa LibertadoresFutebol Latino23/10/2020LibertadoresSorteio da Liberta: Inter e Athletico com pedreiras, Palmeiras sortudo e Flamengo contra argentinosLibertadores23/10/2020Athletico ParanaenseApós estrear pelo profissional, lateral do Athletico admite: ‘Momento mais feliz da minha vida’Athletico Paranaense22/10/2020

They were outplayed in Durban, the form of the senior batsmen coming under question, but all of that was put to rest by a very professional display from South Africa

Firdose Moonda12-Mar-2018Among the hearings and sanctions and violations of the ICC’s code of conduct over the last four days, South Africa also won a Test match and levelled a series. But the yin came with the yang. Their best performer was also their chief offender and while much has been made about Kagiso Rabada’s suspension from the next two Tests, not as much has been said of his performance, which is worthy of great praise.Rabada took 11 for 141, with five-fors in both innings to become the South African with the second-best figures against Australia after Hugh Tayfield’s 13 for 165 in the pre-isolation era. It was also his fourth ten-for in his 28-Test career. Only Dale Steyn has more ten-wicket hauls; one more.”We have to single out KG,” South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said. “A lot has been said about how amazing KG’s rise is, best strike-rate in world cricket at the moment or ever, so I don’t think you have to say too much more. To have him in your side as a captain is a huge pleasure. The skill he has to make the ball talk in both directions. Both teams have very high-class reverse swing bowlers, but what makes KG so special is he does it both ways at pace, and he doesn’t give a lot of bad balls away. And I honestly think he will get better, so I’m really excited to see what happens in his future.”Rabada’s strike-rate currently sits at 38.9 . In the last 100 years, only New Zealand’s Shane Bond has a better figure – 38.7 – and Rabada already has 54 more wickets than Bond managed in his entire career. His five wickets in 18 balls in the first innings put South Africa in a position of strength but it took the batsmen to hammer the point home.After South Africa’s seniors were shown-up in the first Test, there were concerns. But with Aiden Markram’s 143 and Quinton de Kock’s 83 at Kingsmead, there came hope that things would get better. “In the second innings in Durban, which was a peg in the ground for us as a batting unit, to have two young guys put up their hand and with Quinny put some nice batting and show some character to get runs on the board,” du Plessis said.In Port Elizabeth, Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla planted roots with patient half centuries that frustrated the Australian attack. “As you saw in the first innings, it was important for us to absorb a little bit. Australia are going to have times when they put you under pressure and we absorbed brilliantly with Dean and Hashim, making sure the bowlers stay out there and bowl third and fourth spells,” du Plessis said.Steven Smith and Faf du Plessis share a moment•Getty Images

And then it was time for South Africa’s superstar. “It set it up for an AB masterclass, which is the perfect situation for him to come in and transfer that pressure,” du Plessis said.De Villiers scored his first hundred since coming back from a near two year absence from the Test side. This could still be his last big Test rubber but for as long as he is scoring runs, du Plessis is only too happy to be able to call on him.”As I mentioned before the series, I could see in his eyes that he had a huge hunger and the stuff that we spoke about before this series as a team, he was extremely hungry to make a play. I said to him last night I’m just really pleased to see that he is walking the talk. All the stuff that he spoke about, he’s coming through with it,” du Plessis said. “I am really looking forward to see what he is going to do for the rest of the series. When he’s in that sort of form, I’m very happy to have him in my side.”Du Plessis reveled in an “incredible” Test match victory for South Africa which showed the “huge character and pride in our team,” best epitomised by Rabada, send-offs excluded. The 22-year old even did his bit with the bat when he walked in as the nightwatchman on the first evening, after being in the field for most of the day and survived through to the second morning.”I remember against India, I bowled the whole day, then Faf asked me to be nightwatchman. I was like ‘ya sure, I’ll do it’. Same thing happened in this Test match. We talked about it and said should we not maybe send Keshav in but it was no, no, no, we want you. I said, ‘ok fine, let’s do it,'” Rabada said. “I went out and even some of the Australians made some jokes. They said I’ve been bowling the whole day and now I’ve come to bat. They called me Braveheart, etc etc. It doesn’t stop.”Braveheart or not, Rabada is highly unlikely to feature in the rest of the series, which will deny South Africa use of the highest wicket-taker in the series so far and their own best performer. With Dale Steyn also out of contention for Newlands because he has not played the required franchise first-class game, Morne Morkel should slot back in to say farewell to Cape Town, in his final series.But first, there is a 10-day break between this game and the next, which is enough time for the dust to settle. Both teams will take most of the rest of this week off with South Africa reconvening in Cape Town next Monday. While the two Tests have provided enough talking points to fill the time, du Plessis is urging his team to think about other things before immersing themselves back into an intense contest. “It is important that you switch off.,” he said. “We’ve had two back-to-back highly contested Tests. It’s important to get bodies and minds ready.”

Tottenham Hotspur have not wasted any time before getting going under Ange Postecoglou, who has got off to a near perfect start at the club. Having endured fairly uninspiring football from the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte, the Lilywhites are now one of the most interesting sides to watch in the Premier League.

The summer transfer window certainly left them in an interesting position, and without Harry Kane, you worried about them. Yet, after four games, only Manchester City have won more points than their ten, having even defeated Manchester United along the way.

Now, they are set to strengthen further, despite the transfer window slamming shut earlier this month, with a centre-back coming through the doors of Hotspur Way.

What's the latest Spurs transfer news?

Losing Kane for a reported £105m to Bayern Munich in the summer, Spurs have invested their money well, welcoming the likes of Micky van de Ven, Brennan Johnson and standout player James Maddison, who already has four goal involvements in five games for the club in all competitions.

Among all the positives, though, Postecoglou actually suffered a late blow to his squad depth when Davinson Sanchez lef the club to join Galatasaray after the closure of the English transfer window, leaving Spurs short on defensive options. But it appears that's not the only out-of-window business, as Postecoglou now looks to the future.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs are "on the verge" of signing the Croatian centre-back Luka Vusković on a five-year deal, fending off interest from five other clubs in the process. The 16-year-old will reportedly make the move from Hajduk Split when he turns 18 in two years, giving him plenty of time to develop even further.

Romano said: "Tottenham are on the verge of signing Croatian CB top talent Luka Vusković! After top project for his development, Vusković only wants Spurs — despite interest from 5 more top clubs. Personal terms agreed, clubs finalising paperwork. Here we go."

Who is Luka Vuskovic?

At 16, Vuskovic stands at 6 foot 4 and could still have room to grow even more, potentially making him a dominant central defender. Despite his age, the Croatian has already made 11 first-team appearances for Hajduk Split, even scoring one goal, and making the bench twice this season.

Given that he is being trusted to feature for the first-team before he's even 18-years-old, it certainly seems as though Spurs have got themselves one to watch for the future.

From the Lilywhites' perspective, they'll be hoping to get a player ready to play a part in their squad once he turns 18, and completes the move once and for all. For now, though, they'll be well aware that he is still very much in the early stages of his career, and gaining first-team experience at Split is more important than ever.

Securing the central defender once again shows how much Spurs have improved off the pitch in such a short space of time. Reportedly beating five other clubs to Vuskovic's signature, the Croatian's arrival represents a major coup for the future.

India’s captain hopes his team can take inspiration from past deeds at the Bullring, particularly the Test match they dominated for large periods on their 2013-14 tour of South Africa

Sidharth Monga in Johannesburg23-Jan-2018The Wanderers, intimidating when full with its Bullring feel, can be an intimate place when empty. The team bus brings players right up to the back entrance of their dressing rooms. The front balcony looks out onto a grass bank, and then the field of play. From behind the balcony they can walk to the nets. The press conference room is just around the corner.This is where, in December 2013, in India’s first Test without Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli sat, having scored a century on day one of the series, aware of the presence of South Africa bowling coach Allan Donald in the room as he waited for Kohli’s press conference to finish. Kohli drove the knife in, mocking a caption the host broadcaster had used for an analysis package, calling the South Africa bowlers non-threatening.This time, though, Kohli the captain comes in fighting to avoid a whitewash. After a particularly scrappy press conference in the aftermath of the defeat in Centurion, Kohli was subdued in his answers. Make no mistake, he will be just as feisty on the field, and will look at the last Wanderers Test for inspiration.”Definitely the things that worked for us last time we’ll focus on that,” Kohli said. “Although there is more grass on the wicket this time. The pace and bounce will probably be similar to what it was in 2013 also. Their bowling attack is slightly different but [Morne] Morkel and [Vernon] Philander are playing, which was the case last time also. Look we have to take the positives from that Test, what worked for us, what other things we have to repeat again to be able to perform in this game or this venue.”Yeah, we’d love to have another situation where we can capitalise and this time around actually consolidate on it and bring the Test towards us rather than let it slip away again. As a team, we are looking to correct all the mistakes that have happened. Wanderers has been a special venue for us, hopefully we can play the same kind of cricket.”India won the World T20 final here in 2007, and are yet to lose a Test in Johannesburg. They had a day and a half to win the last Test in, but couldn’t finish the job. “It was a very exciting Test for everyone to be involved in,” Kohli said. “For both the teams as well as the crowd, the last day being a really see-saw day. We came back sometimes, then we thought we were going to lose, and then it ended up being a draw. Yeah it was a very memorable Test match for me personally and for us as a team. Because we gave South Africa a total and forced them to play their best cricket to go for it.”I always love playing at this stadium, it’s a great vibe, I feel really good when I walk into this ground. The last time’s Test match was very special and hopefully we can have as exciting a cricket as we had last time this time too.”How nice the vibe would have felt had Kohli come here with the series alive. His coach Ravi Shastri said better preparation would have helped the side, but Kohli insisted preparation was not an issue. Asked if he was going to follow up on what Shastri said and make sure the mistake is not repeated on future tours, Kohli said: “I personally don’t feel that we didn’t feel prepared starting this series. I won’t sit here and point that out after losing a Test series. We had a week to prepare ourselves, five days because one day we were travelling. So we had that, and we went ahead with that.”We are not going to sit and think of outside factors that made us lose. It was our errors, our mistakes of not capitalising on situations that led us to the result being 2-0 so far. I am not pinpointing anything else, I think those talks are left for later planning for future.”One of the errors, Kohli said, was the batting, and that every batsman has been working on it. “Everyone has been spoken to individually,” Kohli said. “The discussions have happened as to what went wrong, what happened, why it happened and the guys have taken it well. And as I said, any time you step on to the field, you have an opportunity to correct your mistakes, and that’s how you progress at the international level. I am sure everyone is looking forward to rectifying those mistakes, and then if they are in the same positions, consolidating those positions.”Kohli also said the fielding needed to improve. “They have fielded better than us and it’s visible and not a question of having numbers attached to it,” Kohli said. “That is something we definitely need to step up because fielding I feel is a bit of a controllable on the field. It depends on an individual’s attitude. Batting, I would still say, there’s always a bowler involved who has his skills as well and same for a bowler up against a batsman.”From the batting point of view, I’ve mentioned it’s a personal responsibility and from the fielding point of view, it’s just a mindset of wanting to make a difference for the team every ball that you are standing on the park. Definitely these two things we have to take into consideration going into this Test match.”

Craig Overton came away with a massive bruise on his chest as a mark of his impressive efforts on debut but knows he needs to condition himself to the demands of Test cricket

George Dobell07-Dec-2017Craig Overton admitted he had never experienced a short-ball barrage like it but, despite the match result and a huge bruise, insisted his Test debut had been “good fun.”Amid the rubble of another disappointing England performance, Overton enjoyed an impressive debut. As well as claiming four wickets – including that of Steven Smith – Overton top-scored in England’s first-innings with a gutsy 41 not out and took a fine, diving catch at fine-leg. It was a display that impressed the England management and left Trevor Bayliss purring about “the fire in the belly” of his new recruit.While Overton was picked primarily as a seamer, it was arguably his batting that impressed most. Despite having been dismissed for a duck every time he batted in the warm-up games, Overton withstood a sustained spell of short-pitched bowling as well as anyone in England’s first innings and showed both courage and technique in adding 66 runs for the eighth wicket with Chris Woakes.It was a contribution that might well have convinced Smith not to enforce the follow-on and could have helped drag England back into the match. And it contrasted with the contribution made by Jake Ball, who was dismissed by short balls in both innings of the first Test and was the man replaced by Overton for the second Test.”I’ve probably not been peppered like that in first-class cricket before,” Overton said. “You might come up against one fast bowler in each side in a county game, but to have three like that is tough work.”But you have to expect that in Australia. I knew what I was getting into going out to bat in the middle. You could tell from the field; especially when Pat Cummins came around the wicket at me. I was pretty much waiting for it.”I think you have to enjoy it. It was good fun and I felt like I played it pretty well.”The one time he did not play it well cost him. Ducking into a good-length delivery from Cummins in the second innings, Overton saw the ball evade his chest-guard and take him on the rib cage. While he admits the blow remains “a bit sore and a bit bruised” he does not seem overly concerned that it could threaten his involvement in the third Test in Perth.”He [Cummins] didn’t say anything,” Overton said. “If you are hit in the chest you know it’s not going to kill you. It might give you a broken bone, but it’s not life threatening. It’s a bit different when you get hit on the head. That’s when you become worried.”Most of the Australia team are good lads and came up to make sure I was all right after I was hit. On the pitch they like to create a bit of a bubble and say a few words. But off the pitch they seem like pretty good lads.”I haven’t had a scan or anything. We think it’s just bruising. We are not too worried.””It’ll take more than that to slow him down,” Bayliss said with obvious admiration. “He’s a big fella. He’s not complaining.”While Bayliss and co. clearly like Overton’s spirit, they would also dearly love him to have an extra yard of pace. But while he will never be an outright quick bowler (unlike his twin brother, Jamie, who is recovering well from a stress fracture and is expected to bowl at the England players in the nets ahead of the Melbourne Test), they are hopeful he can sustain his pace for longer as he adjusts to the workloads required in Test cricket. He bowled 33 overs in the first innings in Adelaide – more than he had ever bowled in a first-class innings – and admits he will have “to get used to” such stints.”It is not common to field for 150 overs in first-class cricket back home,” Overton said. “And to bowl that amount of overs was a challenge. But it’s one I have to get used to.”I know I’m not the quickest – I am the first to admit that – so for me it’s all about control and little variations. The bad balls are going to be put away. It’s all about doing the basics right.”He will, at least, have a break this weekend. With only Moeen Ali, who has been out of sorts with the ball in the series so far, of the Test XI required to play in the two-day warm-up match in Richardson Park, Overton and the rest will be encouraged to take a complete break from the game. To that end, the midnight curfew – recently introduced as a result of Butt-gate – will be relaxed for a night or two.

AFP

There was a hat-trick from Faheem Ashraf, and a Sri Lankan collapse that saw them lose eight wickets for 14 runs. That might suggest another rout of the hapless visitors, but nothing could be further from reality. In the game of the entire tour, Pakistan edged home with one ball to spare, with only two wickets in hand when the winning runs were struck. They were struck by none other than golden boy Shadab Khan, who smashed a six off the game’s penultimate ball to wrench victory from Sri Lanka’s desperate, clawing hands.This was a complete T20 game, beginning with intelligent batting by Sri Lanka, put in after Pakistan won the toss. That was followed by a remarkable collapse from 106 for 1 to 120 for 9. Pakistan looked like they were cruising early on, before an excellent spell by captain Thisara Perera dragged Sri Lanka back. From there, they held the ascendancy right until the last three balls. Pakistan needed eight off them. Shadab hit a straight six and a couple off the next delivery denied Sri Lanka’s valiant young side victory in an astonishing contest.It was Sri Lanka’s best game of the limited-overs tour. The batsmen early on deprived Pakistan of wickets while keeping the score ticking. A 63-run second-wicket partnership between Gunathilaka and Sadeera Samarawickrama set Thisara’s men up for a score above par, with fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Usman Khan expensive in the early overs.Shadab was the only bowler in the middle overs able to rein in Sri Lanka. At one point, they might have been eyeing 150, but a superb spell from the teenager prevented them from cutting loose. He has added another variation, a quicker one that can reach 120kph, and it removed Sri Lanka’s top scorer Gunathilaka amidst their late collapse. Shadab might not have taken heaps of wickets, but his figures of 4-0-14-1 were to prove crucial.In the madness of Sri Lanka’s final overs, Faheem Ashraf emerged as the hero with a sensational hat-trick, removing Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana and Mahela Udawatte off the last three balls of the 19th over. It was Pakistan’s first T20I hat-trick and, in truth, couldn’t have come from an unlikelier source.Poor running and brilliant fielding hurt Sri Lanka’s innings: there were three run outs, The wickets that crumpled in a heap towards the end crushed their hopes of a late charge, and while it was still an improvement on yesterday, they still finished with a below-par 124.Pakistan were tentative in their approach to the chase, almost as if they had forgotten what to do when a match become mildly competitive. Fakhar Zaman was run out after miscommunication with Ahmed Shehzad, before Babar Azam fell victim to an incorrect lbw decision. But skipper Perera rose to the occasion, giving his side a real chance of victory, accounting for both Shehzad and Shoaib Malik in his first two overs.For a while, Mohammad Hafeez and Sarfraz Ahmed looked in control, never letting the asking rate get out of sight. But once Hafeez holed out to long on with Pakistan still requiring 31, panic set in. Perera returned for his final over and got rid of Imad Wasim, and terrific fielding in the deep saw Pakistan’s captain run out three balls later. Twenty-one were still required off 14, and with three wickets remaining, Sri Lanka were firm favourites.Udana conceded only four in a brilliant penultimate over, but the drama all lay in the last over. Faheem was caught at long-on off the first ball of Vikum Sanjaya’s over, and with 11 needed off four, Pakistan were up against it. It looked even graver for them when Hasan sliced one straight to long-off, but was reprieved by a crucial dropped catch, allowing Pakistan to scramble three. That brought on strike Shadab, a young man whose honeymoon with cricket simply refuses to end. Two balls and eight runs later, the contest was suddenly over, and Shadab’s joy, as well as Abu Dhabi’s, was unconfined.

Harry Maguire remains in negotiations with West Ham United over one crucial point, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The England international has been a key target of Hammers boss David Moyes this summer.

What is the latest news on Harry Maguire?

Maguire is as close as ever to leaving Manchester United this summer.

That is according to Romano, who stated that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer with the fee being £30m. The verbal agreement has been reached, however discussions remain ongoing regarding the structure of the deal, and personal terms are still yet to be discussed.

This verbal agreement is a massive boost to West Ham, who had the England international as their top priority defensive addition this summer, and had seen a £20m offer rejected for the defender earlier in the window.

Sky Sports reports that personal terms are not expected to be a problem, however other reports are stating that due to the defenders current £190k per week wages at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have made a severance payment to their former captain in order to offset some of the wages that will be lost as he takes a wage cut down to £120k per week at the London Stadium.

It was previously reported that the defender wanted to stay at Old Trafford this season and fight for his place in Erik ten Hag's squad, however it appears the England international is resigned to the fact that a move away is the best thing for his career, especially with the upcoming Euros, playing regular first team football may be the thing that keeps him in Gareth Southgate's starting lineup for the tournament.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that whilst the verbal agreement has been reached, the crucial part is making Maguire happy with the financial aspect of the deal. Should that happen, the deal should get the green light.

He said: "Harry Maguire is still in negotiations with West Ham, so there is a crucial point: the salary of Maguire. At Manchester United it’s completely to the salary of Maguire at West Ham, so it is crucial that the sides find a way to make Harry Maguire happy with the financial point of view. The fee is agreed, £30m between Man United and West Ham, but they have to get the green light on player side. So while I’m speaking we are still waiting to get the final green light from Maguire and then Man United will go on a new centre back."

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Who will Man United replace Maguire with?

There are a couple of names reported as potential Maguire replacements.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a reported target for the Red Devils. The Englishman impressed many last campaign during his loan at PSV Eindhoven where he made 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring four and assisting two en route to lifting the Dutch cup with the club, whilst the Englishman ended the season with a 6.80 WhoScored rating. According to Football Insider, the Red Devils would have to part ways with £25m to bring the player to Old Trafford.

Another name that is reported as a target is Jean-Clair Todibo. The Frenchman has shone at OGC Nice following his move from Barcelona in 2020, recording average ratings of 6.82, 6.87 and 6.79 across each of the last three campaigns according to WhoScored. According to Romano, The Manchester side have asked to be informed on the conditions of a Todibo deal, with the defender one of the names being considered should Maguire depart.

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is another name being considered alongside Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.