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Tottenham Hotspur have struggled to perform in the Premier League this season, but dans will be pleased to know that the Lewis Family have given Thomas Frank their backing, and they are willing to spend in the January transfer window.

How can Tottenham get better this winter? What have we learned in the overtures of the window? There is pressure on the board to deliver after Daniel Levy was relieved of his duties at the end of last season, and there are numerous holes about Frank’s squad that need to be plugged.

Talk of a new deal for defender Micky van de Ven is rising, but there remains an emphasis on adding quality to the front of the Spurs ship. With James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke all long-term absentees, expect movement there.

Who Spurs are targeting this January

Antoine Semenyo has rejected Tottenham. Enquiries have been made, proposals have been assembled, but the Bournemouth forward has declined the Lilywhite advances, instead honing in on a mid-season transfer to Manchester City.

The Ghanaian has scored eight goals and supplied three assists in the Premier League this season, and he can play across the frontline. He would have been perfect for Tottenham, but this City-bound switch could yet work in the Lilywhites’ favour.

That’s because Tottenham spy an opportunity to sign Omar Marmoush from Pep Guardiola’s side. According to transfer insider Mark Brus – as relayed by Caught Offside – the 26-year-old is set to be replaced by Semenyo, and he could leave the Etihad Stadium in 2026.

Man City signed Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for about £59m in January 2024, and after a strong start, he has fallen down the pecking order.

There is a real chance for Spurs to snap him up this winter, especially with ENIC getting ready to spend, with the north London side said to be ‘pushing to sign’ him.

Why Marmoush would be a "superstar" signing

Hailed as a “superstar” of a forward by Manchester City writer Radu Christian, Marmoush entered a sinking ship last season and proceeded to produce clinical performances in the Premier League, showcasing his class with a hat-trick against Newcastle United.

The Egyptian international scored 15 goals and supplied ten assists across 17 Bundesliga fixtures in 2024/25 before flying to England, and content creator Fiago regarded him as “one of the best strikers in the world” at that stage.

He has started only two Premier League games this season. This does not negate his brilliance, nor does it mean he is not among the cream of the division’s crop.

There’s a strong case to be made that the £295k-per-week talent is even better than Semenyo, and married up with a club who can help foster his talismanic qualities, he might even change that narrative before the current campaign is wrapped up.

After all, Marmoush might be on the fringes, but he still ranks among the top 5% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored per 90, as per FBref, bearing a comparable directness to Cherries star Semenyo.

Premier League – Marmoush (24/25) vs Semenyo (25/26)

Stats (* per game)

Marmoush

Semenyo

Matches (starts)

16 (14)

16 (16)

Goals

7

8

Assists

0

3

Touches*

35.1

48.9

Shots (on target)*

3.1 (1.1)

2.4 (1.3)

Big chances missed

3

5

Accurate passes*

15.1 (84%)

19.9 (77%)

Big chances created

8

4

Succ. dribbles*

1.3

1.6

Tackles + interceptions*

1.2

1.9

Duels won*

3.6

6.4

Data via Sofascore

It’s worth remembering that Marmoush arrived in a truly wretched point in Pep Guardiola’s Man City tenure, and he provided respite as the Spanish tactician worked toward steadying the ship. Now he has been cut adrift, and Tottenham must hand him a lifeline.

Subscribe for deeper Spurs transfer insight and analysis Join the newsletter for detailed coverage of Tottenham transfer strategy, board direction, and player targets — from Marmoush speculation to frontline reinforcements — with expert context that helps you interpret what each move would mean for Spurs. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper Spurs transfer insight and analysis Join the newsletter for detailed coverage of Tottenham transfer strategy, board direction, and player targets — from Marmoush speculation to frontline reinforcements — with expert context that helps you interpret what each move would mean for Spurs.

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Last season, he proved his prolific and precise worth in the Premier League, maintaining creativity as he roved around the final third.

For a player who was awarded the 2024/25 Goal of the Season and is considered to be one of the most dangerous on the continent, he needs to be playing regular football, be it as a centre-forward, shadow striker or winger.

Tottenham can give him the platform he needs to remind everyone of his quality, and he might just let everyone know that he is a cut above someone like Semenyo.

Related Spurs could finally bin Brennan Johnson by signing "generational" £88m star

Tottenham need more impetus in attack ahead of the January transfer window.

Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair

Division One

Michael Lumb and Sean Ervine hit rapid half-centuries as Hampshire gained a thrilling two-run win against Essex in a match reduced to 25 overs per side at The Rose Bowl. Lumb ensured Hampshire gained a flyer to their innings, taking 40 balls over his 62, and Ervine built on his work with a 38-ball 57. The hard hitting continued all the way down the order and when Essex lost three early wickets against James Bruce and Daren Powell the task became enough tougher. But James Foster (61) and Grant Flower (54) managed to keep up with an escalating run rate and strong striking from Ryan ten Doeschate and Andy Bichel kept the game alive. However, Powell came back to grab two vital wickets and Shaun Udal kept Essex down in the final over.Worcestershire gave their suffering supporters something to smile about with a seven-wicket win against Sussex in their relocated match at Edgbaston. Vikram Solanki hit a 51-ball 55 then Ben Smith and Graeme Hick calmly completed the chase with a stand of 110 and four overs to spare. Sussex had wasted a strong platform after Richard Montgomerie (65) and Murray Goodwin (52) added 106 for the second wicket as Ray Price and Gareth Batty shared six wickets. Sussex’s spin pair of Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq couldn’t produce a repeat.Gloucestershire held their nerve to secure a three-run win against Warwickshire in a tight encounter at Bristol. Darren Maddy (71) and Kumar Sangakkara (55), only recently back from Sri Lanka, gave Warwickshire a chance and Tim Ambrose kept them in touch. But Ben Edmondson pulled out a fine last over and removed Tim Groenewald with six still needed. Gloucestershire had Alex Gidman’s 88 off 74 balls to thank for their total of 212, after a delayed started reduced the match to 35 overs per side.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Lancashire	3	1	0	0	2	4	+0.187	189/31.4	185/32.0
Gloucestershire	3	1	0	0	2	4	+0.086	212/35.0	209/35.0
Worcestershire	2	1	0	0	1	3	+0.667	204/36.0	200/40.0
Hampshire	2	1	0	0	1	3	+0.080	224/25.0	222/25.0
Nottinghamshire	1	1	0	0	0	2	+1.351	194/31.4	191/40.0
Essex	2	0	1	0	1	1	-0.080	222/25.0	224/25.0
Northamptonshire	2	0	1	0	1	1	-0.187	185/32.0	189/31.4
Sussex	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.667	200/40.0	204/36.0
Warwickshire	2	0	2	0	0	0	-0.757	400/75.0	406/66.4

Division Two

Jacques Rudolph’s powerful 127 was key to Yorkshire’s nine-run win against Somerset at Scarborough, under the Duckworth-Lewis calculations, but it was nearly snatched away by Ian Blackwell’s brilliant 97. Rudolph faced 114 balls against an attack missing the rested Andy Caddick and Charl Willoughby. He added 72 with Craig White for the first wicket and a key 111 with Andrew Gale for the fifth. Gale and Tim Bresnan finished with a flurry of boundaries and when Somerset floundered to 98 for 6 the game appeared over. However, Blackwell cut loose and launched seven sixes while adding 115 with Craig Kieswetter. Richard Pyrah eventually had Blackwell stumped after 73 balls and Yorkshire held on at the death. Read John Ward’s full report here.Robert Key led from the front with 104 as Kent continued their impressive one-day form with a 10-run win against Derbyshire at Derby. Key took 96 balls to reach his hundred, adding 111 with Joe Denly who made 52 off 44 balls. Martin van Jaarsveld added 62 as the second wicket added 110. Derbyshire chased hard with Greg Smith hitting 88 off 68 deliveries, but Kent collected wickets at regular intervals and had breathing space at the end.Shivnarine Chanderpaul began his Durham stint in match-winning style as he stroked an unbeaten 80 in their seven-wicket win against Surrey at Guildford. Chanderpaul added 120 with Kyle Coetzer (76) and Chanderpaul remained to see the job home alongside captain Dale Benkenstein. Phil Mustard provided another view of his tremendous hitting power with a 42-ball 63 to make major inroads into the target. Chris Schofield was taken to the cleaners, his three overs costing 40. Surrey’s 247, under par on a small ground, was based around 84 from Scott Newman and well-paced 59 from Ali Brown.Middlesex’s seamers brushed aside Glamorgan in a 21-over game at Ebbw Vale. Chaminda Vaas and Chad Keegan took the first five wickets for 18 runs and Glamorgan were out of the game before Murali Kartik chipped in with three. Middlesex’s 183 was based around stylish half-centuries from Owais Shah and Ed Joyce. Shah took 34 balls over 59 and Joyce’s 55 needed just 33 deliveries as he hammered four sixes. Ed Smith provided early momentum, adding 101 for the second wicket with Shah.

Team	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	N/R	Pts	Net RR	For	Against
Kent	2	2	0	0	0	4	+0.685	461/73.3	447/80.0
Durham	2	2	0	0	0	4	+0.587	395/54.3	393/59.0
Middlesex	2	1	1	0	0	2	+2.124	328/40.0	240/39.3
Derbyshire	2	1	1	0	0	2	+0.413	381/56.5	390/62.0
Yorkshire	1	1	0	0	0	2	+0.237	251/38.0	242/38.0
Somerset	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.237	242/38.0	251/38.0
Surrey	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.717	248/40.0	249/36.0
Leicestershire	1	0	1	0	0	0	-0.968	175/40.0	179/33.3
Glamorgan	2	0	2	0	0	0	-3.020	202/43.0	292/37.5

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Kevin Pietersen celebrates his fifth Test century and his first of the series © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen doesn’t like being overshadowed for very long so after two relatively quiet Tests he chose the opening day at Headingley to make his first major impact on this series. His century was far from chanceless – he had three clear lives – but his biggest inconvenience came when cramp forced him to retire. However, with Ian Bell supplying another composed innings, and Pietersen ready to resume in the morning, England’s Manchester momentum has transferred nicely across the Pennines.All the main batsmen contributed something to the cause and England’s only gripe will be that four of the top six played themselves in without going on. But that is the nature of Headingley; batsmen often say how they rarely feel ‘in’ at Leeds and the fact it was only a batsman of Pietersen’s class who could really dominate suggests batting is not a cakewalk. That shouldn’t take anything away from Bell, who was again faultless, and also Chris Read who was under immense pressure on his return to Test cricket.When Pietersen retired hurt with the total on 259 for 4, if Read had fallen early a decision would have needed to be made as to whether Pietersen returned or the tail was exposed. An inside edge (the bane of Pakistan’s day) opened Read’s account but then he played confidently with Bell, although it helped that there were six overs of loopy part-time spin.On another day, though, the outcome would have been very different for Pakistan, who probably won’t be exchanging pleasantries with Darrell Hair in the near future. When Pietersen was on 2, he got an inside edge via his pad through to Kamran Akmal but Hair declined the appeal. Pakistan could feel rightly aggrieved with that decision but when Pietersen was 29 they could have no complaints as Shahid Nazir overstepped. They will also feel Pietersen escaped two very close lbw appeals early in his innings, but the fact that he was shelled at midwicket the ball before he retired shows Pakistan didn’t help themselves.The height of Pakistan’s frustrations came in the first session despite three wickets before lunch. Shortly after Pietersen’s first let-off, Alastair Cook was the beneficiary of a missed inside-edge. Cook couldn’t take his second chance and popped a catch back to Umar Gul off the last ball before lunch, but Pakistan would have still been stewing about Pietersen, well aware of the damage he is capable of.

Alastair Cook fell to Umar Gul, who was rewarded for his efforts with four wickets © Getty Images

Pietersen wasn’t quite at his best in Pakistan during the winter – despite a century at Faisalabad – with his impetuosity often getting the better of him. However, this summer he has added another level of responsibility to his play and that was on show here as he played himself in, albeit with his moments of fortune.The first half of his innings was about steadying England from 110 for 3 and the recovery began with Paul Collingwood for company, before he disappointingly picked out deep square-leg after a stand of 82 in 22 overs. But, by then, Pietersen had already lit the blue touch paper. One shot, on the up through midwicket with a straight bat, signalled the start of his onslaught. Danish Kaneria soon ended up in the stands and, 44 balls after reaching fifty, Pietersen’s now trademark leap accompanied his fifth Test century and third of the summer.When Salman Butt grassed Pietersen at midwicket on 104 Inzamam just chewed his finger nails but the frustration must have been immense. He will have a sensed a moment of relief when Pietersen’s cramp, which had troubled him from when he was in the 90s, forced him off the field for treatment. The problem for Inzamam, as has been throughout the series, is that he had no strike bowler to turn to.Nazir, in his first Test since March 1999, deserved more than Strauss’s wicket but Mohammad Sami was again a major disappointment. However, during the final session Umar Gul backed up his hardwork from Old Trafford with a fine new-ball burst. There was enough in the pitch to keep the seamers interested and Read’s late dismissal to one that didn’t bounce much indicates that batting won’t become any easier.Pakistan ended with a touch of momentum as Gul squeezed one through Matthew Hoggard’s defences. But the thought that will keep them awake tonight is that although Pietersen has left the field once he’ll be back in the morning with the serene-looking Bell. Inzamam could be forgiven if he has the odd nightmare.

How they were out

Click here to read Cricinfo’s description of each wicket

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Adam Gilchrist has every reason to jump for joy as India slide towards defeat © AFP

Australia stood on the brink of a thoroughly deserved victory in the first Test after the old firm of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, bowling together against India for the first time since 2001, brought about a top-order collapse to leave India sinking in quicksand, ending the fourth day 352 behind with only four wickets in hand. Even rain, which is forecast for tomorrow, is unlikely to save them, because it rarely rains heavily enough here in Bangalore to wash out a whole day.India battled manfully during the early part of the day to restrict Australia to 228 – a total which neatly doubled their first-innings lead – at a lesser rate than they would have liked. Harbhajan Singh was magnificent, bowling with control and guile, and claiming wickets at regular intervals. But ever since India were bowled out for 246, it had been clear that their batsmen would have to dig them out of the hole in the second innings. It was a tall order, and the past was staring at India like an apparition. They needed a distant 457 to win on a ground where the highest successful run-chase is 195 … and within little more than an hour they were reduced to 4 for 24, through a mixture of accurate bowling, dodgy umpiring, and a shambolic piece of running between the wickets.India began their innings in the worst possible manner, when they lost Virender Sehwag to a terrible decision from Billy Bowden: a straight one from Glenn McGrath caught a thick edge on its way to Sehwag’s pad. The din must have drowned out the noise of the nick, but the deviation was visible to the naked eye from the stands behind the bowler’s arm. But Bowden raised his finger, and to add injury to insult, Sehwag might cop a fine for showing his displeasure (1 for 1). Minutes later it was 2 for 7, when Aakash Chopra fell to another contentious decision, this time by Steve Bucknor: Jason Gillespie rapped him on the pad with a incutter, and replays showed that the ball might have missed leg.McGrath’s deadly knack of varying his pace and the seam’s angle, while always hitting the corridor just outside off, made him a devilish proposition. He snapped up two wickets in two spells, but more importantly was instrumental in piling on the pressure with his parsimony, as he sent down eight maidens in his 12 overs, conceding only nine runs.It got even worse when a horrendous misunderstanding led to Sourav Ganguly being run out. He pushed one to short midwicket, and took off for a single immediately, only to see Rahul Dravid stop after a couple of strides. Ganguly was stranded halfway down the pitch, and didn’t even bother to look back as Adam Gilchrist uprooted the off stump with great glee.And the final blow came just before tea, when Shane Warne deceived VVS Laxman with his first ball. It came down flatter and quicker, Laxman played for more turn than there was, was hit in line, and fell to Warne for the second time in the match. The crowd roared its disapproval of the decision, but the ball was dead straight (4 for 19).Dravid waged a solitary battle as a crushing defeat loomed large, but two more setbacks at the other end all but lit the Indian funeral pyre. The weekend crowd – nearly a full house – cheered their local hero, after all else had gone awry. India had limped to 6 for 105 from 49 overs by the close, with Dravid undefeated on 47.The only silver lining for India was the form shown by Harbhajan, who teased the batsmen with his subtle variations of length and turn. Keeping it asstraight as possible, he forced the batsmen to defend after charging down the track, and no-one summoned the courage to loft him over the top. Damien Martyn was forced to curb his fluent style, and ensured that the first hour was negotiated without too many jitters. He blocked, shouldered arms and drove straight to the infielders, and survived a few close leg-before shouts. Just 20 runs came off the first ten overs, as Martyn helped Australia into a near-impregnable position.He was eventually out for 45, pushing an uppish drive to short midwicket, but a flurry of runs followed his dismissal, with Warne’s energetic cameo providing the boost. Although there were two fielders positioned on the square boundary, Warne swept Harbhajan crisply and, along with Gilchrist, provided the final kick towards a lead of more than 450.Harbhajan mopped up the tail after lunch to finish with 11 for 224 in the match, the best return by any bowler on this ground, taking his tally in his last three home Tests against the Aussies to 39 – but by then the visitors’ middle order had already done enough … and more.

Anil Kumble bowls India to the brink of victory© Getty Images

On the pitch
It’s a very placid track. Whatever we have achieved in this game is because of the huge score that the batsmen put on the board. Once they scored 675, there was enormous pressure on the opposition. But whatever is said about the pitch, I think the credit should go to the team who have been able to get a result out of it. This team truly believes that it can win, no matter what the conditions.On the prospect of becoming the first Indian team to win in Pakistan
We thought it might be possible today, but we have to come back tomorrow and pick up one wicket. It’s going to be a great achievement. We’re playing in Pakistan after 15 years, and to win our first Test here will be a source of tremendous satisfaction.On comparisons to his ten-wicket haul at Delhi in 1999
It’s difficult to compare. What is important is the team winning.On how quickly he got into the groove after a spell on the sidelines
At times today, with the number of overs I bowled, I felt like I hadn’t left off in Sydney. After a couple of overs in the first innings, the ball was coming out nicely. It’s no secret that I love to bowl, or that I like to be involved as much as possible.On how the team coped for such a long time without the injured Zaheer Khan
I thought Irfan [Pathan] and Balaji bowled great spells early on. Yuvi also took a crucial wicket, and ran Inzamam out. And it also helped that we have guys like Sachin and Veeru, who are capable of picking up wickets rather than just turning their arm over.On whether this will quieten his critics, who claim he’s effective only on helpful pitches
I’m not here to prove anybody wrong. They will say that this is still the subcontinent [laughs]. They will say that I don’t spin the ball. But ultimately, all that matters is the number of wickets, and how you contribute to the team’s success.On Irfan Pathan
It was fantastic to see a 19-year-old run in so hard in just his third Test. He has made big improvements in every aspect of his cricket, and that augurs well for the future of Indian cricket.On looking back at his career, and looking ahead to 400 wickets
I look back with a bit of pride. As for the 400 wickets, I’ll take things one at a time, and hope I get there soon.On Yousuf Youhana’s century
He’s a quality batsman. It would have been nice to get him out today, but we’ll have to come back tomorrow for that.On whether he had thought of how India’s famed spinners had been savaged here in 1978
I don’t like to go back to history. I came here with a lot of confidence, having done well against Pakistan in India [in 1999].On what has changed in Indian cricket, allowing the team to become more consistent and successful
I’d put it down to the belief that we have now. The players have worked very hard, and have been helped by the support staff. Credit needs to go to John [Wright], Andrew [Leipus] and Greg [Allen King], and also Adrian [le Roux] who was there before Greg. They have instilled confidence in us, and the work ethic is also great. The players have also made a tremendous effort.On how the result here will affect the rest of the series
We hope we can take the confidence we have gained here to Lahore, and win the series.

With six weeks left for the World Cup, the South Africans are bracing themselves to the fact that the big event will be upon them soon and they have a job in hand to show to the world and prove that this was the best that ever was.Fifty-four matches are to be played starting from Feb 9 at various centres which include already established venues and the one’s which are still in the process of being rebuilt and renovated.The one-day series against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Tests against them were taken as a dress rehearsal and experiment to assess the security arrangements and crowd management. The series against Pakistan isalso being treated as such. But there is a lot to be desired. Nearer to the event, the organisers say that all things will be in order to make it a success.In the one-day games that Pakistan played recently, strict security was in evidence. Security guards, stewards, metal detectors, searching of bags, all seemed to be in order. And plains-clothed policemen mingled with the crowd to make sure that banned substances like sharp objects, whether metal, wooden or glass bottles and alcohol were not smuggled in.Like at Sharjah, there were also guard dogs with their handlers posted round the ground at Port Elizabeth where Pakistan had their only victory in the five match one-day series. The organisers say the experiment could be repeated for the safety of the crowd and players.The ICC sleuths were also seen hanging around having their lunches and drinks hoping that there presence will be a deterrent for the wheelers and dealers. Whether they will ever succeed in that will always remain a matter of speculation.The worrying thing however for some of the visiting journalists is the lack of communication facilities in the press boxes at the venues where Pakistan has recently played matches and where World Cup games are due to be played.There were no internet or phone facilities available at any media box unless one had his own dedicated phone line. Not even a coin-box or card operated phone line as was provided in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and also for the first time in England during the 1999 World Cup.A great majority of scorers in the box seemed untrained and agency men struggled at times to wire a correct scorecard in time to meet their deadlines.Organizers claim that when the big event comes nearer things may start to look right and a lot better than it is at the moment. The management of the World Cup led by Dr Ali Bacher is racing against time but they promise a problem free World Cup and the best that has ever been organised. Only time will tell if they are right.

Kent beat Cumberland by nine wickets in the third round of the C&G Trophy at Barrow-in-Furness.The start of play was delayed for 15 minutes due to heavy morning rain. Kent acting captain Mark Ealham, deputising for the injured Matthew Fleming, won the toss and put Cumberland into bat.It proved a prudent decision because the Kent opening pace bowlers Martin Saggers and Ben Trott got appreciable movement with the new ball in the heavy cloud conditions.Trott, recruited from Devon and playing in his first season with Kent, got a vital breakthrough in the second over when he had Steven Knox lbw for one. This left Cumberland reeling at 1-1.The Cumberland batting was somewhat brittle as epitomised by their losing three wickets on 26 including Andy Williams who had made 19.Apart from the seventh-wicket partnership of 28 between Cumberland captain Martin Lewis and Jonathan Fielding there was little achievement from the Cumbrians. They lost their last four wickets for only eight runs.Trott returned the superb figures for 5-18 from his ten overs, while Saggers supported him with 3-14.The Kent openers David Fulton and James Hockley laid the foundation for Kent’s easy victory by putting on 43 for the first wicket before Fulton was caught behind by David Pennett off Marcus Sharp for ten.Hockley and Robert Key saw Kent through to victory ater only 10.2 overs. The aggressive Hockley hit 10 fours and a six in his unbeaten 48, while Key was 12 not out at the finish.The man-of-the-match award was awarded to Trott who recorded his best bowling figures of the season.

Leeds United are now in active talks to sign an attacking addition worth £9m in the January transfer window, according to recent reports.

Farke: Calvert-Lewin on course to become "Leeds United hero"

When Leeds signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free deal fresh from his Everton exit in the summer, there were plenty of doubters. Now, however, he very much looks like one of the most in-form players in the Premier League and has barely put a foot wrong in front of goal since Daniel Farke changed to a 3-5-2 system.

It wasn’t so long ago that reports were indicating the worst for Farke. Some even went as far to suggest that he would be out of a job if he lost against Chelsea and Liverpool. By the time those fixtures had passed, though, the German had overseen victory over the Blues and a dramatic draw against the Premier League champions.

Leeds’ turnaround has been as unexpected as it has been sensational and they’re now on a run of just one defeat in their last five Premier League games.

In that run, Calvert-Lewin has scored six goals and sparked deserved praise from Farke, who told reporters: “Right now he’s on the on a path to be a top-class player for Leeds United and also a Leeds United hero.

“But you know my attitude – I don’t like to speak about quality and top-class players just after a few weeks or a good couple couple of months.

“You have to show this with consistency over the whole season. But if he keeps going in this way and keeps delivering, then we would speak about an outstanding season.”

As things stand, the Whites are six points clear of the dropzone and perfectly placed to welcome vital January reinforcements, should they please.

Leeds now in active talks to sign Ruben Vargas

As reported by TeamTalk, Leeds are now in active talks to sign Ruben Vargas from Sevilla next month. The Swiss winger reportedly wants to complete a move to the Premier League and intermediaries have been in contact with Leeds, as well as Sunderland and Bournemouth.

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Valued at around €10m (£9m) by Sevilla, the deal won’t come too cheap for those at Elland Road next month. Alas, it could be one worth chasing.

Subscribe for deeper Leeds transfer insights and analysis Gain in-depth transfer context: subscribe to the newsletter for scouting takeaways, tactical implications and market perspective on Leeds’ interest in Ruben Vargas and wider Premier League moves. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper Leeds transfer insights and analysis Gain in-depth transfer context: subscribe to the newsletter for scouting takeaways, tactical implications and market perspective on Leeds’ interest in Ruben Vargas and wider Premier League moves.

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Aside from Calvert-Lewin, Farke’s forwards have struggled for goals throughout the campaign and it’s no secret that the former Everton forward has an extensive injury history. That makes an attacking addition crucial to the Whites’ survival chances.

Leeds’ attacking options

Goals

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

7

Lukas Nmecha

4

Noah Okafor

2

Joel Piroe

0

Vargas could help the rest of Farke’s frontline kick on, having scored three goals and assisted another four in 12 La Liga games so far this season. Whilst his goalscoring record is not clinical, his creative spark would undoubtedly add another element to Leeds’ attack in the January transfer window.

	Darren Lehmann: “The IPL should be played as a boutique tournament for international players” © Getty Images

Darren Lehmann wants the number of overseas players in the IPL to be lifted from four to five per franchise in next year’s competition.Lehmann covered for South Africa’s Graeme Smith in the first two matches for the Rajasthan Royals and would be keen for more overseas representatives to get involved. “The IPL should be played as a boutique tournament for international players,” Lehmann told the Advertiser.He has also added his voice to the growing clamour – mainly from English players – for all countries to be able to take part in the IPL. English cricketers, Dmitri Mascarenhas excepted, are currently looking on enviously as they are prevented from participating in a huge payday owing to a clash with their domestic season.”They could add another overseas player to rosters and open up the window for all international teams including England to play,” Lehmann said. “I feel a bit sorry for the English boys but think we can work around it to help get things across the line.”The ECB are considering setting up a rival Twenty20 league, but that is unlikely to happen until 2010. Another possible solution, from the English point of view, would be to move the IPL to November. The London Telegraph reported on Wednesday such a shift is a strong possibility as the month “is perceived to be a more productive TV advertising window”. David Collier, the ECB’s chairman, had earlier dismissed the idea as “unlikely” owing to a clash with international tournaments such as the Champions Trophy.The BCCI’s Lalit Modi reportedly told Lehmann that, contrary to speculation over the IPL’s financial feasibility, the tournament is a monetary triumph. “I have had good discussions with Lalit Modi and they can’t believe the success of the IPL,” Lehmann said. “It is out-rating all the big TV shows.”

As well as being a player and the ACA president, another hat Lehmann could soon be wearing is that of coach. His ambitions were enhanced in India and it is thought he could take up a post at his previous county Yorkshire, where he was a popular player. “I am really looking forward to getting into the coaching side of things now,” Lehmann said.

“It’s never going to be easy to get 15 wickets in two Test matches in Australia. They won’t have Warne so it’s going to be seamer-friendly wickets”© AFP

Muttiah Muralitharan described his performance of taking a century of wickets at Asgiriya International Stadium as ‘a tremendous achievement in a long career’.”I have already taken a hundred wickets in two other venues at Galle and SSC this is the third. It is not easy to take 100 wickets in each venue. Not many people have done it,” said Muralitharan who finished off the Bangladesh first innings for 131 by taking his 59th five-for in an innings with figures of 6 for 28.Murali started the Test requiring four wickets to reach a hundred wickets at this venue. He had taken two wickets overnight and when play resumed after a delay of 30 minutes Murali quickly finished off the Bangladesh innings capturing four of the remaining six wickets for 18 runs in 5.5 overs.When questioned about the opposition he was bowling against Murali retorted: “A Test wicket is a Test wicket. The ICC has given Bangladesh Test status. They have some good players. Although I have been getting a lot of wickets against them the majority of them are not bad players against spin.””Bangladesh cricket in on a learning curve. They are taking longer than any other country. We have to give them the opportunity. Then only can they improve. Otherwise if they stop playing Test cricket and play one-day cricket they won’t adjust to the system. They should play more four-day cricket with ‘A’ teams against other nations. When you get beaten so often very badly it also demoralizes them,” he said.Murali edged closer to Shane Warne’s world record-tally of 708 Test wickets with his six-wicket haul today taking his overall tally to 694 Test wickets, leaving him 15 wickets shy of Warne’s mark.Murali expressed doubts when he would pass Warne’s figure. There is a lot of expectation that he may do it in Australia when Sri Lanka tour there in November, but Murali said: “With the present weather conditions I don’t know whether I will get a bowl in the second innings. It’s never going to be easy to get 15 wickets in two Test matches in Australia. They won’t have Warne so it’s going to be seamer-friendly wickets. Maybe I will achieve the world record against Australia or against England. Sooner or later I will pass him. I have a few more years left in cricket so definitely I will reach the record and go beyond that.”Murali has 20 wickets in the on-going Test series against Bangladesh and will be expected to play a big role if Sri Lanka is to win the third and final Test and make a clean 3-0 sweep of the series. “We can pull off a win here because the score Bangladesh achieved in their first innings is too less. It’s a very poor score for a Test match. If we have good weather in the next three days we can make a good score and I expect the pitch to do something here than at the SSC and the Sara Stadium. The pitch helps a little bit more for seamers and spinners,” he said.Sri Lanka finished a rain ruined second day at 30 without loss and trail Bangladesh by 101 runs.dium.