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Everton are reportedly scouring the transfer market for further attacking reinforcements after being linked with a move for Internacional striker Yuri Alberto.

What’s the story?

According to Brazilian outlet Torcedores, the Toffees are one of several clubs to have made an inquiry regarding the highly-rated 20-year-old, with AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Lyon, Manchester City, Arsenal, Napoli and Roma all credited with an interest.

The report states that it’s Serie A giants Milan who are in pole position for Alberto’s signature, though. The South American is believed to have his heart set on a move to San Siro, although his £17m price tag has left the door ajar for other potential suitors.

His agent, Andre Cury, confirmed a £9m bid from an unnamed Italian club – believed to be the Rossoneri – had been rejected recently (as relayed by Revista Colorada), while the youngster has already turned down a move to Barcelona.

Imagine him and Richarlison

Alberto arrived at Internacional on a free transfer in August 2020 after departing boyhood club Santos and has quickly gone on to establish himself as one of Brazilian football’s most exciting prospects.

In 49 appearances during the current campaign to date, the attacker has bagged 18 goals – including hat-tricks against Flamengo and Chapecoense, as well providing a further four assists.

His standout displays have earned praise from several impressed onlookers, including club teammate Edinilson, who predicted Alberto to go on and do big things in his career.

“Since (Alberto) arrived, I have seen huge potential in him. I know that, soon, we won’t have him here anymore because he has really huge potential,” Edinilson said.

Current first-choice striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set for an extended spell on the sidelines through injury, while his backup Salomon Rondon appears to be well below the standard required for the Merseyside outfit.

And the Brazil Under-23 international is certainly someone that Everton’s hierarchy should be looking at as the winter transfer window approaches.

The 32-year-old was an effective force during his time at Newcastle United, but two years in China have certainly taken their toll on the Venezuelan, and he’s yet to find the back of the net in seven outings for his new side.

Therefore, a move for Alberto would be warmly welcomed by Benitez and co. but it remains to be seen whether Marcel Brands can fend off the competition for his signature.

And, in other news…EFC missed golden chance to seal “spectacular” £22.5m-rated gem, Rafa will be gutted 

South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes England may rue their decision to keep fast bowler Steve Harmison out of the touring party to South Africa this winter

Cricinfo staff24-Oct-2009South Africa coach Mickey Arthur believes England may rue their decision to keep fast bowler Steve Harmison out of the touring party to South Africa this winter. Harmison, 31, who plays for Durham in the county circuit, was overlooked for the Test series beginning at Centurion on December 16, despite playing in the final two Tests of the successful Ashes campaign.Arthur said Harmison’s high action and steepling bounce would have been perfectly suited to the quicker wickets in South Africa. “He was the one England bowler who could rough us up,” Arthur told the . “If they’re trying to build a team for the next Ashes and Harmison isn’t going to be there, I can see why they’ve done it. But a few of our batters will have seen that tour party and been pretty happy he’s not on the plane – especially with our wickets, which will have plenty of pace and bounce. He would have been a very awkward proposition.”South Africa lost their most recent Test series at home, 2-1 to Australia in February, when they failed to handle left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Johnson. Johnson may have struggled to impose himself on the slower wickets of England during the Ashes, but he was Australia’s highest wicket-taker in South Africa, picking up 16 at an average of 25.00.”We saw how dangerous Mitchell Johnson was against us on both Australian and South African wickets, because his stock ball – back of a length – was getting rib high on bouncy tracks and hitting batsmen under the heart,” Arthur said. “In England, he wasn’t helped by the slow pitches, but Harmison could have done the same thing as Johnson out here.”England’s tour of South Africa comprises two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and four Tests, with a handful of warm-up games. The tour gets underway on November 6 with England XI taking on the South African Board President’s XI.

According to The Sun, Leeds United target Fabio Carvalho has turned down a new contract at Fulham, and will therefore be available on a free transfer next summer if the two parties cannot agree to a new deal.

The Lowdown: Leeds eye Carvalho

19-year-old Carvalho has impressed since making his debut against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup last year (three and provided one assist in six matches, although his progressed has been stunted by a toe injury and a positive coronavirus test.

The Whites are said to be interested in the England U18 international (The Daily Mail), with West Ham and Real Madrid also believed to be in pursuit of the starlet.

The Latest: Carvalho makes big decision

Now, there has been a big update in the future of the teenager – despite being offered a bumper new contract by the Cottagers, Carvalho has decided to reject it.

It was added Fulham will not make another offer for the attacking midfielder as insiders described the first one as ‘massive’.

Real Madrid are thought to be circling and a January exit is even possible, while a number of Premier League clubs are also interested.

The Verdict: One to watch

Carvalho has been tipped for a big future. Although Fulham were relegated back to the Championship last term, former boss Scott Parker called the player a “shining bright light” (via The Shropshire Star), with him scoring his first senior goal against Southampton, albeit in a 3-1 defeat.

In August, he won the EFL Young Player of the Month award after scoring three times in his first five outings (EFL.com). Even despite the amount of games he has missed this term – BBC), while only Harry Wilson has managed more than his two key passes per game (WhoScored).

He has lofty ambitions too, previously stating he wants to win the Ballon d’Or in the future (via The Athletic), showing the sort of professional drive that every scout looks for in a young talent.

Still so young, he has plenty of time to develop and, under a boss such as Marcelo Bielsa, he could develop into a fine player if Leeds follow up on their interest.

In other news, Leeds want to sign this Championship star.

Leeds United’s season has hardly gone to plan with the Yorkshire giants occupying a perilous place in 15th, just three points above the drop zone after 11 matches, but there has been one shining light for Marcelo Bielsa and co.

That being versatile defender Pascal Struijk, who impressed yet again at the weekend as the Whites drew to Leicester City in the Premier League.

Primarily a central option, standing at 6 foot 3 inches, the Belgium-born Dutchman was deployed as a left-back against the Foxes, with both Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton absent through injury.

As per SofaScore, he won 100% of his ground duels, coming up against the threat of Ricardo Pereira and Ademola Lookman down that left flank, whilst he also notched two interceptions, one tackle and one clearance despite playing in unfamiliar territory.

Struijk has also played in defensive midfielder whenever Bielsa’s usual lynchpin Kalvin Phillips has been out through injury or suspension, so he’s certainly proven to be a very valuable asset to Leeds since their promotion to the Premier League nearly 18 months ago.

The Argentine head coach waxed lyrical about his defender to reporters after the game, he said (via LeedsLive):

“He’s a very hard-working man. In the mental and the physical assimilation of a new position. Throughout the week he was looking for solutions in a new position.”

But it is in the heart of defence where his future will seemingly lie and it’s not just Bielsa who spoke glowingly in recent days.

LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross has touted him for big things in Yorkshire, claiming that the colossus is rather quite underrated.

“He’s [Bielsa] worked with so many players in world football, and for him to say the things he’s saying about Pascal, it’s very, very exciting.

“Defenders don’t always get a very exciting press. It’s all about Raphinha, it’s all about Joe Gelhardt. But Pascal is the future. 

“And the longer he stays under the radar, the better, because he’s got the lot, to be honest. And at some point, there will be a changing of the guard and he’s going to become a supreme centre-back.”

Leeds poached Struijk from Ajax’s grasp on a free transfer in 2018 and ever since, he’s slowly earned the trust of Bielsa, which is a hard task no doubt.

The 22-year-old is now valued at €20m (£18m), according to CIES Football Observatory, which only goes to show just how his career is on an upward trajectory in Yorkshire.

Ex-United star Dominic Matteo is also a huge fan of the Deurne-born centre-back too.

“He reads the game a lot better than he’s credited for. He’ll get even better too. Struijk is one to look out for,” he claimed earlier this year.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but, with the size of him, his physicality, his passing, he’s got it all and can step into midfield. He looks very calm on the ball, players who are a bit erratic are not for me but he looks comfortable in possession.”

Also dubbed a “beast” by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Joe Urquhart, Leeds have certainly struck gold over Struijk. In fact, this is surely like a dream for Bielsa as he has a young player who is very capable of playing a multitude of positions and one that will still only get better.

To make matters even better, he didn’t cost them a penny, meaning one day if he does move on, the club will receive a sizeable return on their investment.

Everyone associated with the club should feel lucky to have the Dutchman in their ranks, even more so this season.

AND in other news, Local journalist drops promising claim on £34m-rated Leeds “nightmare”, fans will be buzzing…

Mohammad Asif has vowed to make up for lost time due to the several disciplinary and drug-related controversies

Cricinfo staff06-Nov-2009Mohammad Asif, the Pakistan fast bowler, who is hoping to play his first Test in more than two years later this month has vowed to make up for lost time due to several drug-related controversies. Asif, 26, has been named in Pakistan’s squad for the three-Test series against New Zealand, which starts November 24.”I have not played in New Zealand but have heard a lot about the pitches and conditions there and hopefully if I can get a chance I will make an impact,” Asif said. “The key is to focus on just cricket and try to make up for lost time.”He has already made his limited-overs comeback during the ICC Champions Trophy after a year-long suspension for testing positive for the banned substance nandrolone. He showed off his ability in his first game on return by grabbing two wickets as Pakistan nearly scripted a sensational turnaround against Australia.Originally named in the one-day side and Twenty20s to take on New Zealand in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, he was left out since he is banned from entering the UAE after being stopped with a small quantity of opium at Dubai airport last year (criminal charges were not pressed).Asif is tuning up for his Test return by playing Pakistan’s domestic first-class tournament, the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he has taken 23 wickets in five matches. “The good thing is that I have been playing regularly in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches,” he said. “That has helped me find my rhythm and form and get my confidence back. There is nothing better for a bowler then to bowl in the longer version of the game.”

Kumar Sangakkara stood alone between India and the No. 1 Test ranking, scoring his first hundred in six Tests in India

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga05-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outKumar Sangakkara carried Sri Lanka on the fourth day with his maiden hundred in India•AFPKumar Sangakkara stood alone between India and the No. 1 Test ranking, scoring his first hundred in six Tests in India, a fighting effort on a pitch that helped both spinners and fast bowlers. Although India were made to work hard for six wickets on the fourth day, they were still in control of the Brabourne Test. Their position was strengthened after a Sri Lankan middle-order collapse, kicked off by Sreesanth, continued by Zaheer Khan and finished by Pragyan Ojha, resulting in four wickets for 25 runs.The day began with another umpiring howler against Tillakaratne Dilshan, followed by a stodgy 90-run stand between Tharanga Paranavitana and Sangakkara, before the middle-order wobbled against inspired bowling. By then, though, Sangakkara had overcome an edgy start against Harbhajan Singh, who extracted alarming turn and bounce even with the new ball, and went on to ensure India would have to bowl on the fifth day, and perhaps bat again too.In the morning, Dilshan looked to play a game that didn’t come naturally to him, padding away the big offbreaks from Harbhajan. Arguments will abound if that was the right approach but Dilshan was not allowed to make his own mistakes. In the sixth over, he was given lbw while padding up to a sharp offbreak that was easily missing leg stump.Although he was lucky with Dilshan’s wicket, Harbhajan then gave both the left-hand batsmen a tough time. He bowled smartly, but Sangakkara and Paranavitana batted smartly too. Harbhajan mixed pace, trajectory, line, and angle and beat the batsmen with his variations. But Sangakkara and Paranavitana didn’t let him have a prolonged spell at either of them by taking quick singles. Three of Harbhajan’s subsequent overs in that spell featured plays and misses, all four had singles.Initially Paranavitana was more at ease than Sangakkara, who looked for the getaway sweep shot against Harbhajan and nearly got out twice. Even at 98kph, Harbhajan got sharp turn and, although he didn’t bowl the doosra much, he kept the batsmen guessing with topsinners from round the stumps.Paranavitana was solid in defence and rarely played away from his body but he still played aggressive shots for release every now and then, especially against Pragyan Ojha, whom he lofted for three on-side boundaries. After lunch Paranavitana reached a well-deserved half-century, his second in the match, but was soon done in by a superb outswinger from Sreesanth. The bowler had to wait his turn on the fourth morning, with MS Dhoni choosing to begin with spin from one end, but made his presence felt with sharp swing.By then Sangakkara had settled in and Sri Lanka’s challenge was to bat through scoreless periods without letting it affect them. Sangakkara managed that, defending stoutly, using his feet against the spinners, spending 17 balls on 46, and then bringing up his fifty off 145 balls.The other two middle-order mainstays, though, couldn’t match Sangakkara. Zaheer followed Sreesanth’s impressive spell with his best of the series. A 22-ball run-less period followed a ball that moved slightly away from Mahela Jayawardene and took the edge. Four overs later, from round the stumps, Zaheer tucked up Thilan Samaraweera, who edged low to first slip where VVS Laxman took a sharp catch. Just before tea, Ojha spun one sharply across Angelo Mathews, giving Dhoni his 100th catch, and not a straightforward one at that.Sri Lanka went into the break 189 runs behind. They returned having learnt the lesson, and made a conscious effort to not get bogged down. Sangakkara started stepping out to Ojha and cleared the aggressive field placements with ease. Prasanna Jayawardene pulled and drove Zaheer for fours, slog-swept Virender Sehwag for a six, and in no time the deficit started approaching double figures. Ojha ended that partnership when Prasanna played down the wrong line and was caught lbw.The two had added 64 runs in 14.4 overs and Sangakkara had moved to 81 off 198 deliveries. Two balls later Nuwan Kulasekara survived a plumb lbw, and that was the closest India came to getting a wicket for the rest of the day. Sangakkara farmed the strike initially but soon realised Kulasekara was not having much trouble negating the spinners. Keeping with the trend on the first three days, the pitch seemed to have eased out in the final session.Sangakkara spent 24 balls in the 90s, refusing singles and picking boundaries when the fields came up for the last two balls of the overs. By the time he reached his century, India had taken the new ball, and he unleashed a flurry of attractive drives. By stumps the two had added an unbeaten 66 in 17.3 overs, and Sangakkara had scored 83 runs in 107 balls since tea. That despite refusing many a single.

Everton’s season has already had several ups and downs under Rafael Benitez, with their fast start to the Premier League campaign unravelling in recent weeks.

The Toffees got 2021/22 off to a blistering start, losing just one of their opening eight top-flight fixtures to spark hope of a genuine push for European qualification.

Summer signings Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend stole the headlines after bagging a combined eight goals in Everton’s first nine games in all competitions, but neither has found the back of the net in the team’s last four outings.

Injuries have played a significant part in the Toffees’ downturn in futures over the last four games, with the absences of Yerry Mina, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure contributing to their miserly total of just one point from a possible 12.

However, one player who has been relatively consistent throughout Everton’s rise and fall has been Michael Keane.

The centre-back has had to contend with lining up alongside a number of different partners at the heart of defence this season, including Mina, Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey. He has been an ever-present in Benitez’s side, though, playing every minute of their topsy-turvy campaign.

Keane’s goal against his former club Burnley helped to seal a 3-1 victory, and although his two assists came in defeats against Watford and Wolves, they illustrate his attacking prowess in the opposition box.

However, it’s in his traditional defensive duties where Keane has really excelled. As per SofaScore, the 28-year-old has won a whopping 59 duels, made an astonishing 46 clearances and 30 interceptions, and completed 17 tackles and 14 blocks.

If Everton are to get back on track and revive their season, then the England international could well be key to their fortunes, and Benitez will be hoping that his unsung hero continues his current run of impressive form.

In other news… Brands could find Rafa’s next Pablo Aimar at Everton in “very clever” £22.5m-rated ace 

West Ham will have to spend around £11m on FC Copenhagen striker Jonas Wind if they want to sign him in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Wind linked with West Ham move

The Hammers may be flourishing in the Premier League currently but that doesn’t mean that new signings aren’t needed to take the team forward.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments-2/” title=”West Ham developments” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

David Moyes’ side have been linked with signing Wind in recent times, with the 22-year-old scoring four times in 12 caps for Denmark at senior level and reportedly impressing West Ham scouts.

Copenhagen are clearly keen to keep hold of one of their most prized assets, however, and a fresh update has emerged regarding his future.

The Latest: Hammers learn Wind asking price

According to Ekstra Bladet [via Sport Witness], West Ham ‘will probably have to go up close to DKK 90-100 million’ to sign Wind, which equates to approximately £11m.

Only Premier League clubs are thought to be able to afford that amount in January, and although a mid-season move is possible, a summer exit looks more likely.

Wind’s current Copenhagen deal expires at the end of the 2024/25 season.

The Verdict: Much-needed attacking depth

At 22, Wind is someone who could come in as a squad player at West Ham initially – he has scored 45 goals and chipped in with 25 assists in 111 appearances for Copenhagen – and eventually become a more pivotal figure over time.

He has matched Antonio’s tally of six league goals so far this season and he has 10 goals in all competitions, further highlighting his pedigree.

Moyes’s team sit fourth in the league at the moment, but in order to remain in the thick of the Champions League race, another striker could do with being signed, especially one as prolific as the Danish youngster.

That would help ease the burden on sole centre-forward Michail Antonio, especially with the Hammers battling in the Europa League as well, making for a hectic schedule in the early months of next year.

In other news, a journalist has dropped an exit rumour regarding one West Ham player. Find out who it is here.

Four Pakistan players have been cleared for Indian visas by the Indian ministry of external affairs, possibly paving the way for their return to the IPL next season

Osman Samiuddin10-Dec-2009Four Pakistan players have been cleared for visas by the Indian ministry of external affairs, possibly paving the way for their return to the IPL in 2010. The final call on whether or not they actually participate, it appears, will now be taken by the league, which had earlier ruled out the participation of Pakistan’s players as they had not obtained their visa clearances by December 7, the extended deadline.Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Misbah-ul-Haq and Sohail Tanvir all applied for visas – the first three in Wellington, where they are involved in a Test series, and Tanvir in Islamabad – and Ijaz Butt, chairman PCB, confirmed that clearance had been granted. “Yes the visa clearance has been granted for four of them, three in New Zealand and one in Islamabad,” Butt told Cricinfo.The board will now contact Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, and hope “that he considers this latest development,” Butt said. The league had already granted two deadline extensions to the PCB to have its players cleared to take part, though no word has so far come on whether another might be granted now.Butt has fought hard to get his players back into the IPL after they were prevented by their own government from playing in the second season, a fallout of a deterioration in political ties between India and Pakistan after the Mumbai attacks of 2008. He met Modi in October to begin finding a way back for the players.There is no clarity, however, on the situation of Abdul Razzaq, who is currently in Dhaka; he is believed to have signed up with Kolkata Knight Riders but is the only one of the group who hasn’t played in the IPL. Akmal and Tanvir, with Rajasthan Royals, Gul with Kolkata and Misbah with Bangalore Royal Challengers, all have contracts already in place, which stood “suspended” over the last year.

Salomon Rondon played the final half-hour of Everton’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The summer signing was introduced on 63 minutes by Rafael Benitez in place of Fabian Delph but he only touched the ball seven times before the final whistle sounded at the Etihad Stadium.

At the end of the game, the Liverpool Echo’s Sam Carroll spotted that Rondon walked ‘straight off down the tunnel’. having not even offered ‘a wave to the travelling fans’ who’d endured the entirety of the loss. Captain Seamus Coleman was joined by Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, Lucas Digne, Tyler Onyango, Anthony Gordon and Andros Townsend in applauding the travelling Toffees supporters.

Rondon struggling since Everton move

Rondon has made eight Premier League appearances so far this season but is yet to open his goalscoring account for his new club. In fact, he’s received as many yellow cards (one) as he’s managed shots on target, and he has already come in for plenty of flak from some of the Goodison Park faithful.

Here’s what a selection of Everton fans had to say in response to Carroll’s reveal about the Venezuelan’s actions at the full-time whistle in Manchester.

These Everton fans slam Rondon after Etihad snub

“Rondon can carry on walking”

Credit: @ballantyne374

“Rondon’s done that since day one but we all know that if he was hounded out the club for it, he’d be the first to make out we’re the villains. Robbing a living he is.”

Credit: @TheDanMox

“Tbf it was a long walk to the away end – don’t think his fitness is up to it yet.”

Credit: @SteveMWilliams

“He isn’t fit enough to go over there yet”

Credit: @IndianToffy

“Criminal he’s getting minutes in front of Simms”

Credit: @GraemeMcV

“I know I keep banging this drum but the lack of passion in our squad for this club is diabolical. I struggle to think of any current LFC player that wouldn’t die for their fans, while most of our squad wouldn’t get a paper cut for us.”

Credit: @JHoughtonMedia

In other news, many Everton fans gushed over this stadium update.