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Manchester United are at an 'advanced stage' in discussions to bring Napoli defender Kim Min-jae to Old Trafford, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest transfer news involving Kim Min-jae?

According to Foot Mercato via ESPN, Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag view Kim as a 'priority' target amid interest from several other clubs around Europe's elite divisions.

The report states that Kim himself is keen on a move to the Red Devils; however, Manchester United face competition from Chelsea, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

90min have revealed that Harry Maguire is attraction attention from elsewhere this summer, though isn't keen to move on from the club in the next few months.

This could have a knock-on effect in Manchester United's pursuit of Kim, which in turn could potentially alter their transfer strategy if they aren't able to shift the 30-year-old off the books.

Corriere dello Sport via The Sun claim that Kim has a release clause in his £53k-a-week contract at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium that becomes active in July.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti has detailed that talks between Kim and Manchester United are said to be at an 'advanced stage'.

Galetti said: "After many contacts with Kim Min-jae's agents in the past weeks, now we can say that the talks with Manchester United are at an advanced stage."

How good was Kim Min-jae in 2022/23 for Napoli?

Kim enjoyed a fantastic campaign for Napoli and helped his side to claim a first Serie A title since 1989/90, making it no surprise that plenty of interest has fallen his way in recent times.

In total, the 26-year-old star made 45 appearances across all competitions in 2022/23, registering two goals and two assists, as per Transfermarkt.

WhoScored shows that Kim has also established himself as a dominant presence at the heart of the Napoli backline, winning an average of 2.6 aerial duels per match during the season.

His ability to utilise possession from deep and build attacks also flies under the radar and Kim has excelled with regards to his positional peers in the art of pass completion, managing to record a total of 90.2% of successful passes per 90 minutes across the last 365 days, as per FBRef.

Manchester United will hope they can bring in a few high-profile additions to strengthen their bid to bring more trophies home to Old Trafford following their Carabao Cup success this term and Kim would be a marquee signing that would solidify the Red Devils' defence significantly.

Arsenal have been linked with a host of players ahead of the transfer window, with the latest news suggesting that the Gunners are eyeing a fellow Premier League ace.

Mikel Arteta will hope to arm his squad with the necessary depth to challenge once more for the league title, after falling short this season to treble-winners Manchester City.

What’s the latest on Timothy Castagne to Arsenal?

As reported by Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg – relayed by Sport Witness – Leicester City defender Timothy Castagne has been eyed by Arsenal.

The report runs off the narrative of Belgium’s match-ups against Austria and Estonia, stating that the ties will be a chance for players to show their worth ahead of the transfer window.

It’s suggested that Castagne could have a potential suitor in Arsenal, following his relegation to the Championship with the Foxes.

The full-back is currently valued at £26m as per Football Transfers.

What could Timothy Castagne bring to Arsenal?

Lauded as “brilliant” by teammate Jamie Vardy, the Belgian has been a revelation since trading Serie A for the Premier League, signing from Atalanta for £21.5m in 2020.

A flock of players have been linked with moves away from the Foxes following their relegation, with movements starting with Youri Tielemans who has made the switch to Aston Villa.

Arsenal could land themselves added defensive quality in moving for the 27-year-old, in a move that could finally see Cedric Soares depart.

The Portuguese defender went on loan to Fulham in January with his place in Arteta’s squad out of reach, however the 31-year-old only made six appearances at Craven Cottage, failing to make an impact this campaign.

Arsenal are in need of defensive depth, after a double blow to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu back in March left Arteta with minimal options for quality cover, having a significant impact on the Gunners’ season.

Based upon Castagne’s statistics from this season, and Cedric’s last term at the Emirates, the Belgian could prove to be an upgrade in depth on the out-of-favour right-back.

As per FBref, the £67k-per-week ace averages better than the German-born Portugal international over a range of defensive attributes.

The Leicester defender averaged 2.41 tackles and 1.19 interceptions per 90 this season in the league, as well as winning 51% of his total duels with an average of 4.5 won per game.

Last season, the Arsenal right-back averaged 2.30 tackles and 0.97 interceptions per 90 as per FBref, and won 49% of his total duels with three won per game on average, showing that the Gunners could land a worthy upgrade in the newly relegated gem.

Another area that suggests that Castagne could be a good fit for north London, is his ability to get forward, most prominently identified through his average of progressive passes he received per 90 this campaign with 4.12, via FBref. It's that sort of performance level that's seen him dubbed a "constant threat" by journalist Josh Bunting.

Arsenal whiz Ben White scored 3.65 in this area this season, showing the ability the Belgian has in getting into attacking positions considering the success of the Englishman in the defensive flank role under Arteta.

With no moves made yet ahead of the window, only time will tell if rumours are to be believed, however, the Gunners could finally wave goodbye to Cedric to make way for the FA Cup-winning defender.

Tasmania were in trouble at 5 for 107 at stumps on day two in Hobart, in reply to the New South Wales total of 5 for 495 declared

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Nov-2016
ScorecardPeter Nevill was unbeaten on 179 when New South Wales declared (file photo)•Getty ImagesAs Australia moved towards victory without him in Adelaide, Peter Nevill reminded the national selectors of his batting prowess by striking an unbeaten 179 against Tasmania on the second day in Hobart. Nevill was the top scorer in a New South Wales total of 5 for 495 declared, and another former Test player – seamer Trent Copeland – then destroyed the Tasmania top order.At stumps, the Tigers were wobbling at 5 for 107, with Beau Webster on 30 and Jake Doran on 17, and a massive task remained for Tasmania to make the Blues bat again. Young fast bowler Harry Conway removed Jordan Silk for 22 but the rest of the wickets all fell to Copeland, who finished the day with 4 for 29 from 16 overs.The morning had started with New South Wales on 3 for 288, with Moises Henriques on 94 and Nevill on 73. Henriques moved to his fifth first-class hundred before he was bowled by Cameron Stevenson for 115, but Nevill had plenty of batting left in him.He scored his seventh first-class century and occupied the crease for 331 deliveries for his unbeaten 179, which was the second-highest score of his career – his best, an unbeaten 235, also came against Tasmania in Hobart two summers ago. He had support from Ryan Gibson, who in his second first-class appearance finished unbeaten on 65.

Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka’s captain, is enthused by the young talent that has bolstered Sri Lanka’s batting ahead of their tour of South Africa

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Port Elizabeth23-Dec-2016For the first time in about two years, Angelo Mathews has reason to approach a foreign tour with some degree of optimism. Mathews was not part of the side that recently won 2-0 in Zimbabwe. His most recent away series have been the 0-2 drubbings in England and New Zealand. He has not been part of a Test side that has won overseas since June 2014, when he clubbed 160 and took 4 for 44 in an innings – both career bests – at Headingley.The current squad, however, arrives with a little form behind it. Of the likely top seven, four have scored a hundred in one of their six most-recent innings. One of those – Dhananjaya de Silva – has scores of 129, 65*, 64, and 127 during that period. Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, top-scored on two incredibly tough surfaces – at Pallekele and Galle – to set up the series win against Australia. On their shoulders rest many hopes.”When Sanga, Mahela and Dilshan retired it created a vacuum in the team, but the youngsters have taken it up well,” Mathews said. “We saw in the Australia series that the youngsters like Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva were standing up. It’s great to see them coming through.”Sri Lanka’s batsmen also returned pleasing scores from their three-day practice match in Potchefstroom. Seven out of the eight specialist batsmen in the squad hit half centuries there (Mathews was the only one to miss out), and perhaps most encouragingly, openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva put on an opening stand of 159 before both retired in the first innings. Both batsmen have had lean spells through the year.”In Potchefstroom the facilities were very good, so we’ve had plenty of time to get used to the conditions,” Mathews said. “The wickets were quite a bit slower than other parts of South Africa. I thought we got the maximum out of the 10 days that we got there.”South Africa have also returned triumphant from Australia, however, and are likely to present a stiffer test to the top order than they have had in the last five Tests. Sri Lanka’s recent record on faster tracks makes for worrying reading. They were out for 91 and 119 at Headingley in May, before slumping to 101 at Chester-le-Street. A 117 at Pallekele followed, though they did go on to overturn a hefty deficit and win that match.Sri Lanka may, however, take encouragement from the only Test they have won in South Africa – the 2011 Boxing Day Test. Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana Herath were all part of that XI.”South Africa have been playing extremely good cricket against Australia,” Mathews said. “They went over to Australia and beat the Australians, which is not an easy thing to do. If we play to our potential – we’ve got the skills. We’ve done it in the past.”Like that Durban surface, the one at Port Elizabeth has a reputation for being low and slow. Days out from the match, Sri Lanka remain unsure about what the surface for the first Test holds.”No one has played any Test matches or one-dayers here from this touring party. We’ve heard so many things but, we will not think about it too much because we’re not sure what we’re going to get. We’ll look at it closer on the day before the match.”

Tottenham Hotspur star Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s future is “uncertain” and he could leave this summer, according to journalist Tom Barclay.

Who will leave Tottenham?

The arrival of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou also marks the dawn of a brand new era at Spurs, and one which could see certain players either resurrect their careers or find themselves surplus-to-requirements.

Hugo Lloris, Ivan Perisic, Davinson Sanchez, Ryan Sessegnon, Eric Dier and Ben Davies’ futures all hang in the balance, while Spurs could also attempt to sell Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon and Harry Winks (The Telegraph).

The latter trio are returning from their various loan spells, alongside club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele, and it will be interesting to see whether they can impress Postecoglou and become successes at Tottenham.

Reports have also suggested in the last few days that Dejan Kulusevski, who remains only on loan at Spurs, is yet to convince Tottenham’s new manager while talks have stalled over a new deal for Eric Dier.

It appears a major overhaul could be on the cards this summer, with the north Londoners targeting major additions like Leicester City star James Maddison, a new goalkeeper and star centre-backs.

Players will need to make way, but perhaps surprisingly, another name who could now depart Spurs is Hojbjerg – despite him being a mainstay for the last two seasons.

Hojbjerg’s future at Spurs is uncertain, according to Barclay of The Sun, who took to Twitter with an update on his situation.

In a piece for The Sun, Barclay puts this down to a Postecoglou stylistic clash, with Hojbjerg more suited to the counter-attacking philosophies of his predecessors Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte.

Who is Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg?

The 27-year-old has experience both in the top flight and internationally with Denmark, with Spurs pundits like Paul Robinson claiming last October that he was playing his best football for Tottenham.

“I’ve been surprised by how much he has stepped up this year,” said Robinson to Football Insider.

“I thought he was the one who would make way for Yves Bissouma. The club spent a lot of money on Bissouma. I think Hojbjerg recognised that and stepped up.

“He is playing to a level that we have never seen before. He is playing his best football in a Spurs shirt.”

Called “sensational” at times by members of the press, we believe there are other players more deserving of the axe than Hojbjerg, but the question is whether Postecoglou can fit him into his system.

Tottenham Hotspur talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba are now "progressing" and the player is "willing" to join them, according to reports.

Who will join Spurs this summer?

Spurs, buoyed by the incoming new manager Ange Postecoglou, are after many fresh faces in a variety of different positions – namely a new goalkeeper, central defender, attacking midfielder and a signing further forward.

The Lilywhites, as per reliable media sources, are closing in on a move for Empoli shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario with renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano even giving his famous "here we go" to the deal.

With that area of the squad looking resolved, freeing up the potential departure of long-serving No 1 Hugo Lloris, attention may now turn to outfield players.

Spurs are believed to be very keen on Leicester City star James Maddison, with some reports suggesting they're current favourites ahead of Premier League rivals Newcastle United (The Guardian).

Meanwhile, Postecoglou is thought to want more goalscoring options further forward, leading to their previous interest in Nicolas Jackson before Chelsea beat them to the punch (Football Insider).

Central defensive reinforcements are also a major priority at N17, with Wolves defender Max Kilman and Man City's Aymeric Laporte being linked recently.

Tapsoba, though, has been at the centre of Tottenham's interest and there is a belief that the Burkina Faso international tops their list of targets.

According to 90min, there has been a promising update, with Spurs talks "progressing" to sign the defender. Tapsoba, as signalled by his representatives, is "willing" to make the move to north London.

Liverpool, Man United, Newcastle and even Arsenal are in the mix as well, but it's Tottenham who are more actively pursuing the African.

This comes after Spurs scouts, on recent trips to watch Tapsoba's teammate Piero Hincapie, were left impressed by the former.

Who is Edmond Tapsoba?

The 24-year-old was untouchable in Xabi Alonso's starting eleven last season, with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky being the only player in their squad to feature over more Bundesliga minutes (WhoScored).

Tapsoba also averaged more clearances per 90 domestically than all of his Leverkusen teammates bar Jonathan Tah, highlighting his reliability at the heart of central defence (WhoScored).

It's little surprise members of the press, like freelance commentator Mark Lovell, have heaped praise on the "top quality" player in recent seasons.

Spurs conceded more league goals than any other side above 15th last season, so given their desperate need for solidarity at the back, Tapsoba could be a fruitful option.

Ben Stokes, the England allrounder, has put his name up for next month’s IPL auction in an attempt to use the experience of playing in overseas T20 leagues to expand his game

Arun Venugopal in Pune13-Jan-20173:26

Morgan the driving point of our ODI goal – Stokes

Ben Stokes, the England allrounder, has put his name up for next month’s IPL auction in an attempt to use the experience of playing in overseas T20 leagues to expand his game. Should he land a deal, he will become the third player from the current English side, after captain Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler, to feature in the lucrative eight-team tournament.Stokes’ only tryst with a foreign league came in 2014-15, when he was left out of England’s World Cup squad following a prolonged slump in form, and was instead signed by Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash as a replacement for the injured Jesse Ryder. He made an immediate impact by smashing a 37-ball 77 in his opening match against Hobart Hurricanes, and finished the season as Renegades’ third-highest run-getter with 128 runs from four innings.Stokes’ stock in India soared during last year’s World T20, when he was one of the stars of England’s inspired run to the final (albeit he bore the brunt of Carlos Brathwaite’s unforgettable onslaught in the decisive over in Kolkata), and his aptitude in Asian conditions was again demonstrated before Christmas when he starred with bat and ball in the Tests and ODIs against Bangladesh, before carrying some of that form into an otherwise tough Test series against India.”This year’s IPL is a chance, not just for myself, but a few of the other English guys to go ahead and experience what it’s like. Get a different side of T20 cricket, rather than just play in England,” Stokes said in Pune, in the lead-up to the first ODI against India on Sunday. “I won’t say I am lucky, but in terms of the English summer, it is quite hard to get away and go and experience what it is like to play in these foreign T20 leagues.”Stokes’ enthusiasm for foreign leagues comes at a time when the ECB is keen to launch a high-profile T20 league of its own from 2020. An ECB delegation recently met with Big Bash authorities to study the successful BBL model and absorb the right lessons while, at a playing level, Trevor Bayliss’s tenure as coach has enhanced the sense that white-ball cricket is at last being treated as an equal priority.”It’s one of the things that we want to happen in England… to become like a franchise sort of thing,” Stokes said. “Many of the countries are doing it, so we’re looking forward to seeing if I get a chance to go and see what it’s all about.”Referring to the positive appraisals of players who have been part of the Big Bash or the IPL, Stokes said English players, and as an extension, the team would be better for the experience. “You end up playing against the best players in the world, albeit in T20 cricket. But, look at the guys who’ve gone away and played franchise cricket in Australia and India as well, they’ve all come back and said very, very good things – said it has massively helped their cricket,” he said.”The guys you get to work with as well, not just players but coaches as well. They’ve all come away with really good experience and they’ve all said they think they’ve become better players from doing that. The more chances that we get, I think that is going to do us a world of good.”England have a packed season of white-ball cricket leading up to the Champions Trophy, with three ODIs in the Caribbean in March, a two-match ODI series against Ireland in the first week of May, followed by three ODIs against South Africa. There is also a training camp planned in mid-May. In the event of Stokes securing an IPL contract, he said he was comfortable with being asked to cut short his league commitments to report for the ODIs.”I am an England player. So the decision will get made on what would happen then,” he said. “I’ll just go with whatever… if they feel that it is best for the English guys who go out there to stay over there, then we’ll follow that. And if they want us to come back to represent England, which is what our job is to do, then we’ll come back and have no complaints.”

Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan have been questioned by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged attempts to corrupt the PSL

Umar Farooq11-Feb-20173:41

Samiuddin: Controversy a deflating moment for PSL

Mohammad Irfan, Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan have been questioned by the PCB’s anti-corruption unit as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged attempts to corrupt the Pakistan Super League. Unlike Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, however, these players have not been provisionally suspended and are free to continue playing the tournament.PSL chairman Najam Sethi revealed the three new names on his Twitter handle, while stressing the league would continue to remain vigilant against the “menace of corruption”.In his tweet about Irfan, Sethi said: “Inquiry will continue. He does not face any immediate suspension.” About Zulfiqar and Shahzaib, Sethi said: “They will continue to play.”Sethi later tried to draw a line under the issue, adding on Twitter: “No more player suspensions are envisaged during PSL PROVIDED there is no NEW cause for action. Failure to promptly report any attempt to corrupt and subvert PSL will be cause for action.”Like Sharjeel and Latif, fast bowler Irfan, 34, also plays for the defending champions Islamabad United in the PSL, while left-arm spinner Zulfiqar, 38, represents Quetta Gladiators and Shahzaib, 27, plays for Karachi Kings.Shahzaib’s questioning, according to his team Karachi Kings, was the result of his reporting an approach to the PCB.Sethi had informed Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi of the developments concerning Sharjeel and Latif before their game on Friday. At that point the Kings owner, Salman Iqbal, sought permission from the organisers to address his team.”I took permission from PCB to allow me to brief my players and I reminded them to be aware about these things,” Iqbal told ESPNcricinfo. “I insisted to all my players to report anything you feel odd around you or if anyone approaches you for wrongdoing. Then later I came to know that Shahzaib had reported an approach to the PCB and he was investigated about everything he knows. He has been cleared and will play the tournament.”It is understood that after Zulfiqar’s name came up in speculation surrounding the developments, Quetta Gladiators volunteered him for questioning in a bid to clear his name.Irfan, Zulfiqar and Shahzaib are all experienced domestic cricketers and have represented Pakistan. Irfan has played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 20 T20Is for his country, Zulfiqar 15 Tests, five ODIs and seven T20Is, while Shahzaib has played three ODIs and ten T20Is.The news of alleged attempts to corrupt the PSL broke on Friday, when the PCB announced that it had provisionally suspended Sharjeel and Latif and asked them to return home.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Christophe Galtier was taken into custody on Friday morning amid allegations of discrimination by his former club Nice, as per Goal.

In a fresh update, it's now been revealed that he will go on trial in December as a result of the investigation (via BBC Sport).

Why has PSG boss Christophe Galtier been taken into custody?

An investigation into the alleged discrimination initially began back in April, based on accusations of homophobic and Islamophobic remarks made during Galtier's time at Nice in the 2021/22 season.

Since the start of the allegations, Galtier has reiterated his innocence, with his lawyer previously releasing a statement, which said (via Goal): "Christophe Galtier was amazed to learn of the insulting and defamatory remarks of Mr. Julien Fournier against him.

"Given the seriousness of the charges against him, which he disputes with the greatest firmness, Christophe Galtier immediately seized his lawyer… to initiate, without delay, the necessary legal proceedings which are necessary.”

Galtier also previously said, via BBC: "I have decided to take legal action against those who have violated my honour and I can only be satisfied with the opening of an investigation.

"I was stunned by the comments that were attributed to me and that were relayed in an irresponsible manner.

"I am a child of the HLM estates (subsidised housing estates), raised in diversity, raised to respect others no matter their origin, their colour or their religion."

Meanwhile, PSG backed the boss back in April, saying they: "wish that the judicial system will shine a light on the truth on the serious allegations against our coach".

The investigation into Galtier

A number of key figures have been involved in the investigation, with the PSG manager's son, John Valovic-Galtier, also taken into custody amid the accusations. Both Galtier and his son went to the police station at 8:45am on Friday, June 30.

Following this, the 56-year-old will now stand trial on December 15 before the Nice Criminal Court.

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere has been interviewed as part of the investigation, alongside former football director Julian Fournier, the man who made the investigation happen after an alleged leaked email. We will know the outcome of the arrest in the next 24 hours.

The news comes with his PSG future already up in the air, with their on-pitch form coming into question. After all, according to Fabrizio Romano, the French champions were close to reaching a termination agreement with the manager's contract earlier this month.

It remains to be seen if these off-pitch issues will play any sort of role in deciding his coaching future in Paris.

Outgoing Bangladesh T20 captain Mashrafe Mortaza says that he felt he would be holding back the next generation of fast bowlers if he continued to stay on

Mohammad Isam04-Apr-2017Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza said that his aversion to T20s ultimately pushed him to retire from the format. Speaking on the day that he announced the current T20I series against Sri Lanka would be his last for Bangladesh, Mashrafe said that he was asked to rebuild the T20I side when given the captaincy in 2014, but now he was blocking the path of other fast bowlers like Rubel Hossain.”It is always tough to hang up your jersey,” Mashrafe said following Bangladesh’s six-wicket defeat in the first T20I at Colombo on Tuesday. “But I thought that if I look behind me, someone like Rubel is missing out. He should have been in the first XI, but he is missing out because of me. Since he is performing better than me, he should be in the team. I still feel this team is the best place for our youngsters to grow for a bigger stage like Tests and ODIs.”I never enjoyed that format when T20 started. I played five World Cups but I never enjoyed it. Maybe because of my injuries. This format is quick and sharp so you don’t get enough chances to warm up your body, especially my legs which hurt a lot. I still kept going because cricket board was respecting me as a captain. I was trying really hard to build this team as much as I can. I don’t know how much I did but it was a real pleasure to captain in T20s.”Bangladesh had picked four fast bowlers in the game on Tuesday, with Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed and newcomer Mohammad Saifuddin accompanying Mashrafe. The captain had taken just one wicket in Bangladesh’s previous T20I series, against New Zealand, while Rubel took seven wickets but still missed out. Interestingly, it was the exiting Mashrafe who bowled better than the rest in the game, finishing with figures of 2 for 32 in four overs.Mashrafe didn’t reveal too many details about what pushed him to take such a decision, but said that the final call was made the night before the game. He informed the BCB president Nazmul Hassan almost immediately but also stated his intention to continue in one-day cricket.”I am not thinking about [quitting ODIs] at this moment,” Mashrafe said. “I don’t plan out many things, but [retiring from the T20I team] was a tough decision. A lot of people are involved in such a decision, like my family, friends, team-mates and the media. I thought it would be the same if I took the decision today or two days later.”The only thought was that I would leave the format. Perhaps it was a sudden decision. I didn’t think too much about it. I felt that I didn’t want to play T20s.”