From their wretched form on away tours in 2013-14, the Indian players have added experience and confidence to their repertoire, and are better placed to take on a challenging away season

Sidharth Monga30-Jul-20171:09

The numbers that make up Pujara’s Test career

After India lost The Oval Test of 2014 inside three days, thus losing the series 3-1 after leading, MS Dhoni came out armed with the number of caps in his side as against those in England’s. Dhoni asked for time for a young Indian side, some of whom had started playing only when India started their 13 straight overseas Tests, beginning with South Africa in 2013-14.Later this year, or early next year, India will start a similar journey, but things will be different this time. Virat Kohli has played 58 Tests, M Vijay reached 50 Tests during India’s last home season, the last Test in Galle was R Ashwin’s 50th, and now the SSC Test will be Cheteshwar Pujara’s 50th.Unless there is an injury, Ajinkya Rahane will go to South Africa with 43 Tests under his belt. The bowlers will all be on at least their second trip to those countries. Add to it the most experienced member of the side, Ishant Sharma. Three days from starting the SSC Test, Pujara said this was a great sign for the team hoping to set the record in the four difficult countries right: South Africa, England, Australia and New Zealand.”It will make a big difference because as a team you want players who are experienced enough,” Pujara said of the collective experience in the side. “When we first toured South Africa, New Zealand and England, we were a young team, we didn’t know what to expect from the opposition and sometimes we also didn’t know what were our strengths in such conditions. But now when we go back there again, we will have a clear game plan. Our bowlers will know which areas to bowl and even as a batting unit, we will be very confident and clear with our game plans. I think having that experience of playing more Test matches will help us.”An example of this could be how Pujara himself was a different batsman on his second trip to South Africa. On his first trip there, soon after his debut in 2010, Pujara fought hard but had only 31 runs in three innings to show for it. On his second trip, in 2013-14, Pujara scored a century in Johannesburg.”My first away tour, after making my debut, in 2011 when we went to South Africa facing Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel was the toughest part of my career. And I learnt and when I went there again in 2013, it was a different ball-game all together but yes 2011 was tough.”Being around experienced cricketers helped him. “Well I told myself that I have to work hard on my game especially if I want to play at the international level against world-class bowlers in different conditions,” Pujara said of that series. “After that I really worked hard on my game, starting in 2011 and I got results in 2012 and 2013. I was looking at players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Sachin [Tendulkar], all of them got runs in that tour, in some innings and I was just trying to notice what are the things that they are trying to do and I had a chat with them and I did try implementing a few things in nets, which did help me later on.”The other thing Pujara has learnt, perhaps with experience, is not to take too much pressure of past failures, such as the previous England tour, which began a string of low scores for him. “I would definitely like to score runs but there won’t be any pressure this time as I have played some county cricket,” Pujara said. “Playing in England will always be challenging, the wickets are bowler-friendly but I would definitely like to score some runs. But I wouldn’t think that far ahead because we have a tour of South Africa first after this series, the next away tour is South Africa and I would like to prepare for that.”And, of course, revel in playing his 50th Test. “Playing the 50th Test match for the country, it will be a proud moment for me,” Pujara said. “When I started playing cricket, I thought that Test cricket is always something that I wanted to play. When I have an opportunity to represent the country for the 50th Test match, it will be a proud moment. The way things have shaped up so far, the career has been really good. There have been ups and downs, but looking at the recent form, I will be looking forward to play in the 50th Test match and score some runs for the team.”

Gibson is set to begin his stint as head coach later this month and is ready to embrace the challenges of Kolpak losses and transformation

Firdose Moonda05-Sep-2017Ottis Gibson believes there is “no reason” South Africa can’t win the 2019 World Cup and understands a major part of his mandate as the new head coach is to ensure they break their major tournament duck. He will start his tenure in mid-September and his contract runs until the end of 2019 tournament which will be held in England and is South Africa’s next opportunity to claim global silverware.Gibson has only had one head coach position before but enjoyed success at an ICC event in that stint. He oversaw West Indies’ win at the World T20 in 2012 and aims to transfer some of the lessons from that experience to South Africa.”Only one team can win the World Cup in 2019 and that’s been a massive part of how CSA pitched the job,” Gibson said on the eve of his final Test as England’s bowling coach against West Indies. “Every team wants to win a global tournament, South Africa has never won one and that’s obviously one of their big things. When I went back to the Caribbean, we had the makings of a great team, we had all the players, the IPL superstars and all that but we had never really won a T20 World Cup either. We were able to put a team together that went and won it in 2012 and that was fantastic,””You look at South Africa, you look at the players that they potentially put on the field and there’s no reason why they can’t win the fifty-over World Cup in 2019, here in England. That would be something great for me as a coach but more than that, great for the country. They have a very strong sporting culture in South Africa so to be able to do something like that would be amazing.”South Africa have long been labelled one of the best teams to never become world champions and are set to field another gallery of stars in 2019. Though AB de Villiers has chosen to step down as ODI captain following an extended hiatus from Test cricket, he has made himself available across all formats from mid-October and remains committed to playing in the 2019 World Cup.Faf du Plessis, who is expected to take over from de Villiers as he has done in Tests and T20s, has cited the tournament as a final event for himself and several others which could include Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir. Steyn will be a particularly interesting case as he returns to action this summer following 10 months on the sidelines after suffering a broken shoulder on South Africa’s tour to Australia last November.Should South Africa’s senior core remain fit they will have several headliners at the 2019 tournament but concerns over a player drain remain. After South Africa’s senior side and A team lost series in all formats in England over the last few months questions over their depth are mounting, especially against the backdrop of further Kolpak signings which saw eight recently-capped Test players abandon their international careers for secure incomes in the UK. CSA has launched the Global T20 league – a privately-owned 20-over competition – with the aim of retaining players and Gibson is not too worried about the lack of resources he may face.”When you think of South Africa, you think of the sort of immediate stuff of all the players that have left, that are Kolpaking and you can’t help but hear the rumours of other people that are considering Kolpaking,” he said. “Every player would say he is making a decision for his family. When people say that they don’t think they can get an opportunity and move on there’s not a lot that me as a coach can do and that’s something for CSA to look into. My job is to try and work with the players that are there, try and make sure they are ready to win matches for South Africa so if one person leaves then it gives an opportunity to someone else.”Again, he cited West Indies as an example of a team that are leaning to perform despite challenges. “You might think it weakens the team but we also said that about West Indies at the start of this series. We also said because we didn’t see Lara, Ambrose, Walsh, we didn’t see the household names on the team sheet, we said this is the worst West Indies team in history but those players stuck together and believed in themselves and in what Stuart Law as a coach was instilling in them and then they went on to cause what some people are now calling one of the greatest upsets in sport.”If the players that are on the outside think of it that way, that it gives me an opportunity and if I get an opportunity, I am going to go and stamp my authority on it and I can fill the void. Household names don’t always guarantee you success and that’s my message to the guys on the outside. If you get an opportunity, you should really make the most of it.”Gibson also dismissed the other major challenge on the South African landscape: transformation. It was believed to have dissuaded other foreign coaching applicants and is an aspect Gibson knows he will have to learn to work with.”Transformation was mentioned and it’s a government policy. There’s nothing I can do about it. I have to work with it. I know what it is so I can’t go in and say I want to change that. I know that it is there and I understand why it is here. Whether I like it or not is irrelevant because it’s there and we have to work with it.”Since the start of the 2015-16 season, CSA requires the national team to field a minimum average of six players of colour, including two black Africans, over the course of a season. They exceeded that amount in the first season and are now into the second period of review.It was initially thought CSA would also look to appoint its first home-grown black African coach following the end of Russell Domingo’s time in charge. Lions’ coach Geoffrey Toyana was thought to be the frontrunner and was interviewed for the position but was unsuccessful. Instead, CSA head-hunted Gibson, who was recommended by a five-man panel including two former national coaches, Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons.”I believe when CSA did their search for a coach, they felt I could be a person that would come in there and take the team forward. I am absolutely looking forward to that, can’t wait to get over and get started,” Gibson said.

Aston Villa have made contact to enquire about a summer deal to bring Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat to the Premier League, according to fresh reports.

Who is Sofyan Amrabat?

Amrabat is primarily a defensive midfielder who has plied his trade at the Artemio Franchi Stadium since arriving from Hellas Verona back in 2020, and despite being sent straight back out on loan to his former club after joining, he’s gone on to become a regular feature of Vincenzo Italiano’s outfit, making 107 senior appearances to date.

However, the 26-year-old’s contract with the Serie A side is set to expire in less than a year so the ongoing transfer window will be their final opportunity to cash in and demand a decent fee for their prized asset, and should he depart, he won’t be short of potential suitors in the top-flight.

In England, Manchester United are the club to have been the most heavily linked with a swoop for the Morocco international, whilst Liverpool have also been sounded out as a potential suitor, though if the following update is to be believed, Unai Emery is one of the latest new managers to be chasing his signature.

Are Aston Villa signing Sofyan Amrabat?

According to Viola News (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa have "tested the ground" and initiated for Amrabat. It's unknown whether the contact was made with the player's personal camp, his current club or both, but it does seem as if there has been approach from the Midlands.

The Midlands outfit hold an "interest" in the talisman and it's stated that the "Premier League solution remains alive", with United and Tottenham Hotspur name-checked as admirers in the report. Fiorentina are demanding €30m (£25m) in order to sanction his sale, but as of yet, none of the trio have submitted an official opening offer.

How good is Sofyan Amrabat?

Aston Villa will know that Amrabat is much stronger in the natural defensive midfield aspect of his game having registered just one assist across all competitions last season, but having been dubbed a “monster” in the centre of the park by reporter Carlo Garganese, he has all the qualities to excel under the guidance of Emery.

The World Cup participant averaged 1.3 tackles per league game during the previous campaign so loves to get stuck in and win back possession for his team, something which he is calm and composed in doing having recorded an 89.8% pass success rate which was higher than any of the regular features managed in the Midlands.

The Huizen native would also provide the Spaniard with wonderful versatility having operated in an outstanding eight various positions since the start of his career, including everywhere across the midfield and even in defence at centre-back, left-back and right-back, so he would be a fantastic option for the boss to have in the building.

Furthermore, Amrabat shares the same agent, CAA Stellar, as both Ezri Konsa and Bertrand Traore, so NSWE and Monchi could be handed a small advantage should they decide to seriously pursue a deal considering the existing connection that his representative already has to the club.

Liverpool are still interested in Barcelona midfielder Franck Kessie after signing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already this summer, and could soon further negotiations with the 2023/24 Premier League campaign looming.

Who are Liverpool signing this summer?

That's according to Spanish outlet Sport, who claim that La Blaugrana boss Xavi Hernandez is preparing for the Ivorian's departure from the club this summer as they look to restore their war chest.

Kessie knows he will not hold a regular starting position, and Liverpool – alongside Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus – are attentive to the situation, with the Old Lady believed to have lodged an offer already.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp will perhaps be enticed by the reported price tag, with Kessie's signature only requiring an expenditure of €15m (£13m).

What is Franck Kessie good at?

Liverpool will kick their Premier League season off with a match in west London against Chelsea, and the midfield still feels like it needs work despite the aforementioned acquisitions.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departed in June upon the expiry of their contracts, while Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson have joined the wave of Saudi Arabian transfer activity this summer.

Romeo Lavia is being targetted as the club's new holding midfielder, but the signing of a powerful midfield force such as Kessie would go a long way toward providing apt depth ahead of a term where the club will be targetting silver-laden success and a return to the Champions League.

Despite only playing a peripheral role with the La Liga champions after joining from AC Milan on a free transfer last summer, Kessie still demonstrated his skill in passing and as a driving force, completing 87% of his passes and succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles.

Once dubbed "sensational" by reporter Carlo Garganese, the 26-year-old is a powerful player with an aptitude for barrelling forward into the danger area, ranking among the top 12% of positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for touches in the attacking penalty area and progressive passes received per 90, as per FBref.

And during his final two seasons in Italy, winning Serie A in his final campaign, Kessie would record average Sofascore match ratings of 7.18 (20/21) and 7.07 (21/22), completing 88% and 89% of his passes, scoring 13 and six goals, and forging 1.4 and 1.3 tackles per game.

He would be the perfect replacement for Keita, who succumbed to severe injury issues at Anfield and missed 46 matches across the past two seasons, having also been branded "not good enough" by Reds legend, Didi Hamann back in 2021.

Keita signed for the club for £48m in 2018 but proved to be a disastrous signing in hindsight, with his dreadful Sofascore rating of 6.47 last term in the Premier League confirming his departure, completing just 78% of his passes, averaging just 0.6 tackles per game.

The Guinean has hardly been the "beast" that Kessie is, as claimed by Sacha Pisani, and with Liverpool desperate to rekindle the robustness and verve of Liverpool's midfield, it could be the signing to make to offer Kessie a route back to prominence and serve as a massive upgrade on the woeful Keita.

PCB chairman Najam Sethi had earlier said that Younis, Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi would receive a farewell in Lahore, but now looks to have been given the cold shoulder by at least two of them, with Afridi also reportedly unlikely to attend

Danyal Rasool10-Sep-2017

Younis Khan was almost as famous during his playing career for his fractious run-ins with the PCB as for his batting ability, and it appears his grievances with the board haven’t ended with his retirement. In a lengthy interview with a local television channel, Younis rebuffed an offer from PCB chairman Najam Sethi to attend a farewell event to honour three recent big-name retirees: Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, and Younis himself.”I don’t think this farewell matters now,” Younis said in an interview with . “What is the use after Misbah and I retired in May this year? In other countries, former captains or stalwarts are given farewells within days of their retirement. I don’t see the use of this farewell now and I’m not after any money. Someone from the PCB called me and invited me and said I would receive a handsome amount but I have decided not to go because whatever I have seen in the PCB or have gone through when I was playing is not something I can forget.”The board has been keen on a farewell for some time, but now looks to have been given the cold shoulder by at least two of them, with Afridi also reportedly unlikely to attend. There were earlier plans of a farewell for Afridi, but that was shelved after the T20I series against West Indies in 2016 did not materialise. And while Younis and Misbah had looked the picture of contentment upon their retirement after a last-gasp series win in the West Indies, it appears – at least in Younis’ view – that had little to do with the PCB.”For me nothing is more important than pride and respect. I don’t think the board has treated many players with the dignity and respect they deserved,” he said.Over the years, Younis has expressed his unhappiness with the board over a number of matters. The latest seems to centre around his contractual status immediately after his retirement. While his contract was set to expire at the end of June, he said his salary for the last 45 days was deducted because he retired on May 14. “I informed the board about this [my contractual situation] but I never expected them to deduct the amount. It is not a sign of respect for a senior player. They also did the same with Misbah.”A number of his grievances had to do with incidents strewn across his playing career that he believed showed the lack of respect the PCB afforded its senior players. “There are so many examples,” he said. “Ask Inzamam (ul-Haq) who is chief selector now. Was he not stopped at the Gaddafi stadium main gate? Ask Misbah, was he not told during a Pakistan camp at the stadium that he can’t bring his car into the stadium?”There are so many incidents and they hurt. At one time there were no LCDs, refrigerators or phones in the rooms at the NCA where the players stayed. All the facilities were for administrative block.”Pakistan is due to host a World XI side at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for three T20Is in the upcoming week, with the farewell event was tentatively planned in between the games.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are "not in a position to sign anybody at this moment" despite links to several players in the market, per journalist Alex Crook.

Will Wolverhampton Wanderers make any signings this summer?

It has been quite a bleak transfer window for fans of the Old Gold so far this summer.

It feels like a long time ago that the Midlands side were splashing £100m plus in the space of a single window to chase European football and stave off any threat of relegation.

The only significant developments regarding transfers at Molineux this summer have been player sales, not signings, with the biggest being the departure of club captain Ruben Neves after he left for Al-Hilal in a deal worth £47m.

The only players that have joined Julen Lopetegui's side so far this summer – that weren't already agreed there in January – have been Tom King on a free from Northampton Town and former player Matt Doherty as a free agent.

Wolves were interested in signing Bristol City's highly-rated youngster Alex Scott at one point earlier in the window but, with their current financial situation, find themselves unable to go ahead with any signings, per journalist Alex Crook.

He explained the situation live on TalkSport, with the clip being posted to their YouTube channel:

"Wolves at one stage showed a lot of interest in Alex Scott. I've been told this morning by sources close to Wolves they're not in a position to sign anybody at this moment in time which might worry Wolves fans, let alone a player for £25m."

Why are Wolverhampton Wanderers unable to make signings?

Unfortunately for Wolves, their inability to spend much, if any, money this summer stems from one issue: they have lost too much of it over the last two years.

The Premier League's profit and sustainability rules clearly state that a club in England's top flight cannot accumulate financial losses exceeding £105m over a set three-year period, with the penalties for doing so ranging from further fines or even points deductions.

And according to the Telegraph, the Old Gold are into the third year of their current three-year period; they announced a loss of £45m in February of the first year and between £60m-70m for the second, meaning that had nothing been done they would have easily blown past the £105m allowed by the league.

Premier League clubs have seen that those who break the rules, like Manchester City and Everton, will be investigated and are at genuine risk of facing repercussions for their disregard of said rules, a situation that has caused other sides, like Wolves, to approach the regulations much more seriously going forward.

The good news for fans is that, so far, they have raised around £90m from player sales since the end of the last campaign, and that should the club manage to end this three-year period within the parameters set by the regulations, they can go back to spending a bit more freely in future windows.

That said, with the exodus of quality players from the side over the last few months, survival might just be that much more complicated in the coming season, especially if they end the summer without spending a single penny on a new player.

يستعد نادي ليفربول لإجراء محادثات مع النجم المصري محمد صلاح، حسبما أفادت تقارير صحفية إنجليزية اليوم الإثنين.

ولفت محمد صلاح الأنظار إليه بعد الموقف المثير الذي وقع بينه وبين المدرب يورجن كلوب، خلال مباراة ليفربول ووست هام يوم السبت الماضي.

وتلاقى الفريقان في الجولة الخامسة والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وقرر يورجن كلوب الدفع لـ محمد صلاح في الدقيقة 81، مما أثار غضب المصري الذي انفعل بقوة تجاه الألماني، على خط التماس.

ومن المعروف أن العقد الحالي لـ محمد صلاح مع ليفربول سينتهي في صيف 2025، أي نهاية الموسم المقبل.

وارتبط محمد صلاح بخطوة الرحيل عن ليفربول الصيف الماضي بعدما تقدم نادي اتحاد جدة بعرض خرافي، ولكن النادي الإنجليزي رفض تلك الفكرة.

وتجددت التكهنات حول مستقبل محمد صلاح بعد أزمته مع كلوب، حيث تشير تقارير إلى إمكانية رحيله هذا الصيف، في حين أفادت تقارير أخرى بأنه سيظل جزءًا من ليفربول الموسم القادم.

وحسبما ذكرت صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية، فإنه من المقرر أن يجري ليفربول ومحمد صلاح مناقشات في نهاية الموسم، والتي ستحدد مستقبله على المدى القصير والبعيد.

وأوضحت أن المدير الرياضي الجديد لنادي ليفربول، ريتشارد هيوز، ورئيس مجموعة فينواي الرياضية مايكل إدواردز يستهدفان إلى إيقاف أي محادثات حتى الصيف.

اقرأ أيضًا.. لاعب آرسنال السابق يطالب ليفربول بالموافقة على رحيل محمد صلاح ويحدد الوجهة الأنسب له

وينطبق الأمر كذلك على القائد فيرجيل فان دايك ونائب القائد ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد، اللذين يتطابق وضع عقدهما مع الفريق.

وأفادت أن الأولوية لدى ليفربول كانت تتمثل في إيجاد البديل المناسب لـ يورجن كلوب، وتم الانتهاء من هذا الأمر بعد التوصل إلى اتفاق مع آرني سلوت المدير الفني لفريق فينورد.

وسيكون لدى ليفربول ومحمد صلاح الكثير للتفكير فيه، بالنسبة للنادي، يجب أن يكون هناك اعتبار فيما إذا كان اللاعب الذي سيبلغ 32 عامًا في يونيو المقبل، يجب أن يُعرض عليه عقد ممتد بنفس الشروط المربحة.

وحتى لو لم يكن هناك اتفاق قبل الموسم المقبل، فهذا لا يعني أن محمد صلاح سيرحل حتمًا هذا الصيف.

ويمتلك ليفربول تاريخًا في السماح للاعبين النجوم بالبقاء حتى نهاية عقودهم، حيث حدث ذلك في حالة جورجينيو فينالدوم وآدم لالانا وآخرين، وعلى وشك أن يتكرر مع تياجو ألكانتارا.

وعلى الرغم من المشاهد غير المرضية على خط التماس في مباراة ليفربول ووست هام، فإن احترافية صلاح خلال السنوات السبع التي قضاها في “أنفيلد” كانت مثالية.

وترى الصحيفة أن رد فعله تجاه المدرب نموذجيًا للاعب من الطراز العالمي تأذى كبرياءه بعد استبعاده من مباراة مهمة، وكانت مشاعره عالية، حيث لم يقدم أقل من 100 % في التدريبات وفي المباريات.

واختتمت الصحيفة تقريرها قائلة :”لكن من المفترض أن نتخيل كيف سيكون رد فعل ليفربول هذا الصيف على عرض يزيد عن 100 مليون جنيه إسترليني، إذا قدمه الجانب السعودي، وكذلك موقف اللاعب نفسه”.

Chelsea are “close to agreeing personal terms” with Ajax attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus over a move to Stamford Bridge, according to reliable reporter Ben Jacobs.

Is Mohammed Kudus leaving Ajax?

The Ghana international still has another two years remaining on his contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena, but after majorly impressing during his performances in last season’s Eredivisie, he’s been attracting some significant interest from the Premier League.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported that the Blues have already “made contact” with the 22-year-old’s club to “express interest” in securing his services, and whilst no official bid has yet been made, the journalist claimed that talks between the two parties have taken place.

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has since revealed that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are currently leading the race for the Ghana international over Arsenal, who also hold an interest, as a result of having a more convincing package on offer at this moment in time.

Ajax recently announced that the central talisman had been absent from training due to "medical reasons", though the more likely truth is that he's missing due to the off-field transfer situation amid attention from the two named suitors.

Are Chelsea signing Mohammed Kudus?

In his Daily Briefing column for CaughtOffside, Jacobs revealed that Chelsea and Kudus are edging ever nearer to the player giving the green-light on his side to complete the summer switch to SW6. He said:

“Chelsea have registered their interest in Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus and are even close to agreeing personal terms. But no offer has been placed yet. Kudus is one of a number of attacking midfield options, including Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga. He is appreciated because he can play centrally or out wide and scored 18 goals and got seven assists in all competitions last season. Kudus is under contract at Ajax until 2025 and is keen to leave. He has already rejected a one-year extension back in April."

“The Arsenal interest is genuine as well, although they won’t move prior to outgoings. They made contact a couple of weeks ago. Brighton are also in the race. Kudus is going to cost about £40m.”

Chelsea have already sold the likes of Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and N’Golo Kante this summer so they have plenty of space in their engine room, not to mention that Conor Gallagher has been heavily linked with a move to West Ham United, so should Kudus pen to paper, he could succeed the latter.

The Nima native, as stated above, posted an incredible 25 goal contributions in 42 appearances across all competitions last season and was also a threat even when the ball didn’t hit the back of the net, having ranked in the 99th percentile for most successful take-ons and the 96th percentile for attacking touches in the opposition’s penalty area.

Kudus’ ability to dribble past his marker and his desire to drive forward to create moments of magic have seen him hailed “aggressive” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and there’s no doubt that this direct style of play would fit perfectly into what the manager is trying to achieve ahead of the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

West Ham United "may be one step closer" to sealing a first major summer signing as they eye a move for Man United defender Harry Maguire.

Who will West Ham sign?

It's been a window of nightmares for manager David Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten, with reports even suggesting there is a rift between the pair as both men dither over transfer targets.

West Ham, as things stand, are still the only Premier League side not to have made a single summer signing – which will come as a big worry for supporters given the new season is soon upon us.

Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports at the end of last month, admitted that "several offers" have been made by West Ham and he is hoping that those moves advance sooner rather than later.

“Because of the shortness of the summer and being in Australia. it’s meant the time has been limited, but I’m sure we’ll get down to work and do what we have to do,” Moyes told Sky.

“The club have made several offers for players, we’re out on the market, we’re quite active, and hopefully some of them will come off in the future.”

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

The east Londoners recently walked away from a deal for Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse, despite the player's willingness to join, but they have in fact agreed personal terms with Ajax star Edson Alvarez.

Former West Ham star Declan Rice completed a club-record £105 million switch to Arsenal earlier this window and striker Gianluca Scamacca will follow him out the door after just one year at the London Stadium.

It is now up to Moyes, Steidten and the Hammers hierarchy to reinvest those funds into first-team signings. Club insider Claret & Hugh, sharing news on their links to Maguire, has a promising update.

Relaying what their "insiders" have told them, C&H claims the England international "may be one step closer" to joining West Ham this summer.

Moyes is apparently "desperate" to bring Maguire to the London Stadium, with United and the Irons exchanging medical information on Maguire's fitness history.

There is apparently "growing optimism" that an agreement can be struck for the centre-back, although his valuation is deemed "problematic" at this stage.

How good is Harry Maguire?

The 30-year-old came under fire for some of his performances under Erik ten Hag last campaign and made just 16 top-flight appearances.

Maguire's performances for England, though, could provide West Ham supporters with some optimism he could be a success for Moyes.

The former Hull City and Leicester star was a key player on England's run to the World Cup quarter-finals and has been a mainstay under Gareth Southgate for years.

"We're not in a world where we're cuddling. It's tough world professional football," Southgate told talkSPORT (via The Mail) when talking about Maguire's lack of game time.

"It doesn't baffle me as they have two top players in [Raphael] Varane and [Lisandro] Martinez there.

"He and John Stones has been a partnership that's been brilliant for us [England], but we've got young centre-backs coming up who are getting that experience and that will be the challenge going forward."

Northants remain in contention for promotion to Division One after defeating Glamorgan in Cardiff.With a game in hand over leaders Worcestershire, next week’s important game against Nottinghamshire, now second, could determine who goes up next season. Northants play bottom club Leicestershire in the final game, and if they replicate this fine all-round performance in their last two games, they have a chance of promotion.They also defeated the weather, after heavy rain stopped play with only nine runs needed for victory. There was delay of 82 minutes, before the rain relented and victory was achieved with 34.4 overs to spare.Simon Kerrigan, who is on loan from Lancashire, ostensibly for his left arm spin, shone as a batsman as Northants reached their target with seven wickets in hand. After coming in as nightwatchman after Ben Duckett was dismissed the previous evening, Kerrigan never looked in any trouble against a Glamorgan attack, who were guilty of bowling too many poor deliveries in the morning session, giving the batsmen opportunities to score freely and set up the run chase.Resuming on 42 for 1, the second wicket pair were soon scoring at four runs an over, and apart from against Michael Hogan, they scored freely and quickly shared a 50-run partnership. Newton reached fifty from 99 balls with nine fours – his second half century of the game- but was out shortly afterwards when he was bowled by Craig Meschede. This was Newton’s tenth score over fifty in the championship this season, the most by any player in the two divisions.Kerrigan’s commendable contribution ended when he was bowled, shouldering arms against Hogan, for 62, equalling his previous career-best score made for Lancashire against Hampshire at Southport in 2013.Following Kerrigan’s dismissal, Richard Levi joined Alex Wakeley, the captain having recovered from his injured finger, and the first-innings centurion made his intentions clear by hitting two sixes as Northants accelerated towards their target. The rain then descended and it was a frustrating wait for the visitors, but when play restarted they needed only a further nine balls to reach their target, and take a welcome 22 points.