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Newcastle United look set to complete the signing of young right-back Tino Livramento from Southampton in the very near future, with the club "closing in" on a move for him.

Who is Tino Livramento?

The 20-year-old is a highly-rated youngster with a potentially big future ahead of him, even though his career has been a little stunted to date. Having joined Saints from Chelsea in 2021, he found himself sidelined for the vast majority of last season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury.

Only 26 minutes of Premier League action came his way in the whole of 2022/23, but in the previous campaign he started 25 times in the competition, despite still only being a teenager at that point.

Southampton's relegation to the Championship has meant that important players are going to move on in the current transfer window, and Livramento falls into that bracket, considering the ability that he possesses.

He has been constantly linked with a move to Newcastle – he seemingly prefers them over Chelsea, who have also been in the mix – as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League in 2023/24, as well as attempting to secure back-to-back top-four finishes in the league.

A new update has now emerged regarding the Englishman's future and it looks as though it is now just a matter of time until he is plying his trade at St James' Park.

Are Newcastle set to sign Tino Livramento?

According to reliable journalist Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter, Newcastle are now on the verge of sealing the signing of Livramento this summer:

"Valentino Livramento is closing in on a move to Newcastle. Player is ready to accept terms and Southampton are expected to agree a fee soon."

This has the potential to be a fantastic piece of business by Newcastle, at a time when it is crucial when they plan for both the present and the future, rather than simply focusing on the here and now.

Granted, Livramento suffered a serious knee injury last season – one that many players can struggle to fully recover from – but he is so young still and the club will no doubt have done their research in making sure they believe he won't be hampered in the long-term future.

Livramento could come in as the natural heir to Kieran Trippier, who is now 32 years of age and possibly not at his best for too much longer, initially arriving as his deputy but growing into a key figure over time.

The Saints ace has won five caps for England Under-21s, breaking into a setup full of fantastic young options, and if he can remain injury-free moving forward, he could believe that a future starting berth awaits him for the Three Lions at senior level, even though competition is clearly strong in that area.

Gareth Southgate has hailed Livramento as "excellent" in the past, which can only bode well for him, and a move to a Newcastle team very much on the rise can only increase his level of exposure.

Celtic head coach Brendan Rodgers has unfortunately confirmed that new signing Marco Tilio is poised to miss the start of the 2023/24 campaign through injury.

Supporters will now need to wait patiently before they are able to watch the Australia international, who arrived from Melbourne City on a permanent deal earlier this summer, in action for the first time.

Norwegian maestro Odin Thiago Holm is the club's only other fresh addition ahead of next season so far but the Hoops have until the start of September to bolster their options.

One player who has been linked with a switch to Parkhead is Manchester United central midfielder Scott McTominay, who could be a "mind-blowing" signing for the Scottish giants, as per journalist Dean Jones.

How good is Scott McTominay?

The 26-year-old titan is a superb defensive midfield player who has played over 200 times for the Red Devils to go along with 39 caps for Scotland.

Rodgers could unearth his next Nir Bitton by securing a deal to sign the Premier League colossus. Standing at 6 foot 4, the £60k-per-week ace has the height to provide a similar level of physical dominance to the former Hoops star, who stands at 6 foot 5, in the middle of the park.

The Israeli international, who played 67 matches under the Northern Irishman, was a versatile gem for Celtic as he was able to be deployed in the number six role or as a central defender.

McTominay's primary position is as a defensive midfielder but he has also been utilised as a centre-back for Scotland and described playing in that area of the pitch as "second nature".

The Red Devils academy graduate only started ten Premier League matches last term and that came after he showcased his quality across 28 starts throughout the previous campaign.

During the 2021/22 Premier League season, McTominay averaged 3.2 tackles and interceptions per match to go along with an aerial duel success rate of 67%, which shows that the towering midfielder was able to dominate opposition players in the air.

No Celtic player managed more than 2.8 tackles and interceptions combined per league appearance last term, whilst no central midfielder produced more than 2.2.

These statistics suggest that the United enforcer has the potential to replicate the defensive quality that Bitton provided during his time at Paradise. In the 2020/21 Scottish Premiership campaign, the now-31-year-old warrior made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per outing to go along with a 65% success rate in aerial battles across 12 league starts.

Therefore, McTominay, who was once described as a "monster" by ex-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, could be the manager's next version of the terrific eight-time title winner.

Like Bitton, the strong maestro has the ability to win possession back for his team on a regular basis by disrupting the opposition's attacks, potentially more frequently than any of Rodgers' current options in those positions were able to do last term, whilst also offering versatility and a significant aerial presence.

However, it remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops will be able to get a deal over the line to sign the Scotland international before the deadline, or how serious their interest in his services is.

After securing survival on the final day of the last Premier League season, Everton will be looking to endure a slightly more stable campaign in Sean Dyche's first full year in charge at Goodison Park. And goals may be the answer to that.

The Toffees scored just 35 goals, only more than Wolverhampton Wanderers, as main man Dominic Calvert-Lewin struggled with injuries once again, missing a total of 14 games. When he was available, too, the Englishman managed to find the back of the net on just two occasions.

With that said, another forward arriving could benefit Calvert-Lewin and Everton as a whole, and, according to TuttoMercatoWeb, they have put in an offer for Leeds United forward Rodrigo this summer.

The 32-year-old didn't do enough to save Leeds last season, but he did, at least, manage to get his name on the score sheet 13 times in the Premier League, which would have made him Everton's top goalscorer last season in what could have saved them the stress of final day safety.

Transfer insider Dean Jones certainly believes that the Toffees would benefit by signing Rodrigo this summer, who could form a partnership with Calvert-Lewin. Jones told Football FanCast:

"I actually quite like the idea of a Rodrigo and Calvert-Lewin partnership. I think they could quite positively help each other.

"I know he couldn’t keep Leeds in the Premier League last season, but, ultimately, he’s a very good player. When he first came into the Premier League initially, I thought he’d do really well. And if you use him properly and not as an out-and-out nine, I think that Rodrigo could really give Everton a lot."

What role would Rodrigo play at Everton?

Rodrigo's main role at Leeds should have been supplying the goals for Patrick Bamford. But injury issues and a lack of form meant that the Englishman endured a season to forget. This is something that the Spaniard will be hoping to avoid a repeat of with Calvert-Lewin should he complete a move to Goodison Park this summer.

That may not be the case, however. At Everton, Rodrigo could be the man to finally get Calvert-Lewin back on form, who has previously thrived with a strike partner. When playing together with Richarlison in the 20/21 season, the forward scored 16 Premier League goals – his highest-ever total.

Since the Brazilian's departure to Tottenham Hotspur last summer, however, the academy graduate has found the back of the net just twice, albeit with injuries contributing to this.

Rodrigo can replicate that Richarlison impact, however, helping to revive Calvert-Lewin.

When compared to the 20/21 version of the forward, the Leeds United man made more progressive passes per 90, and, like the current Spurs man, made over two shot-creating actions per game, according to FBref. So, the evidence is there that Dyche can form a solid offensive partnership next season.

The £100k-per-week Rodrigo has certainly earned a lot of praise, too, with Sky Sports' Aaron McLean saying during Leeds' victory over Norwich in 2022: "Rodrigo was a livewire in that first half.”

We've seen in the past that strike partnerships can become the key to success for a Dyche side, with a Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes duo helping Burnley to unexpected heights.

Rodrigo and Calvert-Lewin can become the next great duo under Dyche, should the former make the move this summer.

Gary Ballance made a perfectly-paced 152 not out to steer Yorkshire towards the knockout stage of the Royal London Cup with a mighty 164-run win that knocked Northants out of the competition

ECB Reporters Network10-May-2017
ScorecardGary Ballance can’t stop scoring runs•Getty ImagesGary Ballance made a perfectly-paced 152 not out to steer Yorkshire towards the knockout stage of the Royal London Cup with a mighty 164-run win over Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, a result that knocked Northants out of the competition.Yorkshire captain Ballance guided his side away from trouble at 73 for 4 with a controlled innings that accelerated perfectly to the fifth highest score for Yorkshire in List A cricket, helping his side reach 300 for 6, a target they defended with ease as Northants subsided to 136 all out in 28.1 overs.Ballance has enjoyed an outstanding start to the 2017 season, shouting as loudly as can be to the England selectors, and here added a one-day century to the three already posted in the County Championship.He needed all of his calm, controlled method to gain Yorkshire a foothold in the innings after the top four had failed. He began with consecutive boundaries off Richard Gleeson and took his third four as Gleeson returned for a second spell. Playing late with soft hands, he ran a further two boundaries to the fine third man rope before bringing up a half-century in 57 balls with seven fours.Ballance’s form was obvious but he needed a partner and found one in Matthew Waite, the 21-year-old playing just his 11th first team game for Yorkshire. Waite survived a straightforward missed stumping on 2 that would have seen the innings slump to 89 for 5, but thereafter, guided by his captain, ground out 41 and a partnership of 105 for the fifth wicket.The stand set the innings up at 187 for 5 after 40 overs and the platform for an onslaught in the final 10 overs that added 113 and swung the match decisively Yorkshire’s way.Ballance enjoyed a slice of fortune before reaching three figures with a leg-side swing against Gleeson that flew for his first six over fine third man and in Gleeson’s next over, eased a single to raise a splendid hundred, his seventh in List A cricket, in 97 balls.Thereafter, he went on the attack. He struck three consecutive fours to help take 17 from the 46th over bowled by Gleeson and then swung his third six over square leg as 18 came from the penultimate over.At the other end, Ballance had Adil Rashid, a very dangerous batsman but playing just his second innings of the competition. He was missed at long-on when he had just 2, Gleeson misjudging a catch that went over his head for four, and dropped by Alex Wakely at long-on on 20. Next ball he flicked a boundary wide of Wakely and thrashed Gleeson for four wide of point in the next over.Rashid made made 41 from 35 balls in a modest supporting role as Ballance found remarkable acceleration, adding 75 runs in just 33 balls in the final 10 overs.It was a burst that knocked the stuffing out of Northants, whose chase was liquidated in just 16 balls of the second innings.Josh Cobb pushed forward to a Ben Coad delivery that moved gently away to take the outside edge through to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. Richard Levi pressed the next delivery down the ground for four and sent the next straight to Peter Handscomb at deep square-leg.David Willey, bowling the third over the innings, forced a tentative prod from Ben Duckett that he inside-edged into his middle stump and three balls later brought a full ball back into the pads of Rob Newton to trap him lbw for 4.Thereafter there was brief hitting from Adam Rossington and Rory Kleinveldt, who both made 31, before Graeme White struck four sixes in a List A best 40 from 26 balls. When he holed out to long-on, any interest in the game was extinguished and Northants were bowled out with 22 overs remaining.

Amid their bid for the title, Arsenal spent much of the January window seeking to provide quality competition for Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank, having notably missed out on a deal for Ukraine international, Mykahylo Mudryk – who ultimately sealed a switch to rivals Chelsea.

While the Gunners did subsequently strike something of a bargain with the £27m addition of Leandro Trossard – as the Belgian went on to provide 11 goal involvements in just 22 games in the second half of the season – it does appear that Mikel Arteta and co are still interested in strengthening in that wide berth this summer.

According to reports in Italy, the north London outfit are said to be interested in a move for Juventus wizard, Federico Chiesa, with further claims suggesting that the 25-year-old could be available for as little as €35m (30m), with just two years left to run on his existing deal in Turin.

Although the Euro 2020 winner has been impacted by injury of late – after only returning from an ACL issue late last year – the signs are that the 40-cap winger would prove an astute addition to Arteta's side, having racked up 42 goals and assists in just 94 games for the Old Lady to date.

That is certainly the view of transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking in an interview with Football FanCast – with the respected source stating that Chiesa could prove to be Arsenal's next Alexis Sanchez.

Asked whether Italian could emulate Sanchez at Arsenal, Jones stated: "Yeah, if you think back to what Arsenal used to get from Alexis, he's not a million miles from that, I do think he's got he's got some differences though.

He's just so, so exciting on the ball and the things that he's capable of producing on the spur of the moment, they're just so hard to defend. He's a really, really smart footballer, and I think he'd fit into that Arteta philosophy if they could make some progress on something like that."

How good was Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal?

While Sanchez may have somewhat soured his reputation among Premier League viewers following his dismal 18-month spell at Manchester United – where he scored just five goals in 45 games after joining the Red Devils in January 2018 – the Chilean forward was a truly menacing prospect when in his pomp at the Emirates.

Having been signed by Arsene Wenger from Barcelona on a £35m deal back in 2014, the 5 foot 7 ace went on to score 80 goals and lay on 45 assists in just 166 games during his time in the capital, including a stellar haul of 24 league goals in the 2016/17 season.

Lauded as a "special player" by Wenger, the 153-cap machine was evidently a truly immense talent on the flanks for the Gunners prior to his move to Old Trafford, having even showcased that form at current side Marseille in 2022/23, after bagging 18 goals in 44 games for the Ligue 1 side at the age of 34.

Previously described as a "hard worker" by pundit Gary Neville, Sanchez particularly impressed due to his willing work ethic and relentlessness in the forward line, with Chiesa seemingly sharing that trait as he ranks in the top 13% among his European peers for tackles made.

Most importantly, however, is the Juve man's ability – like Sanchez – to make the difference when it matters in the final third, having notably registered 59 goals and assists in 154 games during his time at former club Fiorentina.

As such, if Arsenal are looking to find a suitable heir to the Chilean marksman, then Chiesa could be just the man for the job.

West Indies allrounder Carlos Brathwaite will fly back home after playing Sydney Thunder’s next match

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2017Carlos Brathwaite will exit the Big Bash League after defending champions Sydney Thunder’s final league match against the Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday. Brathwaite will return to the Caribbean to represent Barbados in the Regional Super50 domestic one-day tournament.Brathwaite said he will leave Australia on Thursday morning for Barbados, where the hosts will play their first Super50 match against Guyana on January 24. “Unfortunately, I still have to go home on [Thursday] morning to play in the Super50 tournament,” Brathwaite told the Australia.Brathwaite was hired by the Thunder as a replacement for fellow West Indies allrounder Andre Russell, who suffered a combination of hamstring and knee injuries. In the two matches he has played so far in the BBL, Brathwaite has taken five wickets: 2 for 31 against Hobart Hurricanes and 3 for 21 in the Saturday Sydney derby against the Sixers. He batted only against the Hurricanes and scored 6. He had become an instant hit in the tournament with his ‘dab’ celebrations.Currently, the Thunder are placed sixth on the table and a win against the Strikers would keep them in contention for the knockouts.

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed the green light from Ange Postecoglou that he is keen to take on the vacant managerial role in north London.

Who is Ange Postecoglou?

Daniel Levy saw Antonio Conte leave the club back in March following a run of underwhelming results amid the Italian's ongoing issues off the pitch.

But the off-field issues did not end there for Spurs with Fabio Paratici also leaving the club after the director of football was caught up in legal issues from his past.

However, Tottenham could now be heading in the right direction to get their plans for the future underway with the managerial vacancy expected to be filled in the coming days.

Indeed, it is believed the Celtic manager, Postecoglou, will take the reins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium having completed the Scottish treble on the weekend with the Bhoys.

The 57-year-old has never managed in one of Europe's top five leagues with the opportunity at Parkhead presenting him with his first role in the United Kingdom.

However, the Australian is seemingly keen to make the step up to the Premier League with Alex Crook telling TalkSPORT the Celtic boss has informed Spurs of his desire to take the job:

"What I was told last night [Sunday] by sources close to Postecoglou, that it's pretty much a done deal, but he's already given Tottenham the indication that he wants to job obviously still have to formally approach Celtic. They were holding off out of respect until after that cup final at the weekend.

"But it won't be a complicated one because Postecoglou has a 12-month rolling contract, so compensation won't be an issue for Spurs."

Where has Postecoglou managed before?

The Australian has a very short history of managing in Europe with the job at Parkhead marking just his second role on the continent having previously managed Panachaiki in Greece.

Prior to taking the role at Celtic, Postecoglou had mainly managed in his homeland and Japan with Yokohama but it is apparent he has made a positive impression on those within the Premier League.

Indeed, it is believed Spurs were not the only side to have looked at Postecoglou as a potential option with Leeds United and Leicester City – prior to the relegation – both linked with the Australian.

Although some Spurs fans may not look at these links as positives, it is worth mentioning that Postecoglou was also a serious candidate for the job at Brighton & Hove Albion when Graham Potter left.

Again, the Seagulls who many may view as the best-run club in the league, are believed to be seriously keen on one of the Asian stars which Postecoglou has introduced to Europe in Reo Hatate.

Postecoglou may not be a familiar name with some just yet, however, Spurs fans could take a lot of optimism from the attention he has received from the likes of the Brighton board.

After all, Spurs have tried the big names with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, perhaps it is now time to try a manager who could bring the fanbase back together.

Aston Villa are reportedly edging closer to securing the summer signing of a Real Madrid ace, as the club have submitted a bid for the star.

Unai Emery has enforced good times on and off the pitch for Villa since his arrival, with the club sealing European football next season and links to some of the best players in the continent.

Not many could have predicted the journey the Spaniard would take the Midlands club on so early in their relationship, however, the early transfer activity surrounding Villa Park suggests the best is yet to come.

What’s the latest on Marco Asensio to Aston Villa?

As reported by Fabrizio Romano yesterday, Villa have “submitted” an opening bid for Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio, with negotiations ongoing.

It’s said that the club are “pushing” the 27-year-old for an answer, with other clubs swarming the Spaniard.

French giants PSG and unnamed Italian clubs are also monitoring the forward’s movements ahead of the window.

What could Marco Asensio bring to Aston Villa?

The £118k-per-week ace has 15 goal contributions in just 12 starts in La Liga this season, scoring nine goals and recording six assists, as per Sofascore.

It’s been a difficult time for the Spaniard since the emergence of Rodrygo, who has occupied the right wing, however as shown through his numbers, the Palma de Mallorca-born ace doesn’t need time to produce his best.

With an average of 0.62 non-penalty goals per 90, Asensio ranks among the best 1% of players in Europe’s top five leagues in comparison to those in his position for goal frequency – as per FBref.

Hailed as “incredible” by journalist Liam Canning, the 27-year-old continues to operate at the highest level, despite not being granted the game time he desires.

With his contract expiring this summer, the Spaniard could offer a reel of attributes to take Emery’s Villa squad to the next level, with his aura alone potentially being a point of inspiration in the dressing room.

The three-time Champions League winner has played with some of the greatest talents in world football throughout his eight-year stay in the Spanish capital, adapting and working around some intricate playing styles in his career.

Lauded as “extraordinary” by Carlo Ancelotti, the forward has many impressive elements to his game, including his passing ability and vision that has seen him gel into one of the world's greatest teams.

When playing at such a dominant level, a player is able to mould their game style to those around them, which is what the winger could do at Villa Park with talisman Ollie Watkins.

Averaging 0.36 assists per 90, the forward ranks in the top 8% in Europe for his efficiency in setting up goals, to put such numbers into comparison to those similar to him in the Premier League, Mo Salah averages 0.32 assists per 90 at Liverpool – as per FBref.

Playing alongside Karim Benzema, a seasoned goal-scorer and Ballon d’Or winner, Asensio knows how to accommodate a powerhouse leading the attack, and could shift some inspiration to the Englishman to increase his goal tally to 15 and beyond next campaign.

Villa’s most prominent creator when looking at the team sheet is Emiliano Buendia, who in the central attacking midfield role has recorded just two assists in 27 starts in claret and blue this season, depriving Watkins of additional chances. Thus, the arrival of an immense playmaker such as the Spaniard would only be good news for the Villans forward.

There are endless possibilities to explore regarding the Spaniard’s impact at Villa Park, however with no deal confirmed as of yet, it will be a hopeful waiting game to see if Emery can lure his man to the Midlands.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani will soon bid again for Manchester United.

What's the latest Man Utd takeover news?

It's no secret that a number of different parties are keen on taking the Premier League club off the Glazers' hands with a takeover in the coming months.

Indeed, alongside Sheikh Jassim, INEOS Sports owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has tabled a bid, while Finnish entrepreneur Thomas Zilliacus was previously involved, but has since withdrawn.

However, it remains to be seen whether the Glazer family are really willing to sell their asset and if they value Man United at a reasonable price.

After all, it has been suggested by The Sun that they are not interested in selling the club unless one of the parties agrees to pay their full asking price of £6bn.

Negotiations seem to have rumbled on for months but in a major update, Romano has claimed that Sheikh Jassim will now bid again and remains confident about completing the takeover.

While speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist explained: "What I can say is that the intention on Sheikh Jassim's side – and so on the Qatari side – is to bid again.

"So he remains confident. He wants to go for Man United, he will bid again. And so Sheikh Jassim will go for Manchester United again – this is the intention, this is the idea.

"Then we will see the value of the bid, and we will see what the Glazers will decide about that."

Will the Glazers sell Man Utd?

Sky Sports, reporting back in February, spoke about how Sheikh Jassim and Qatar were "determined not to overpay" and had no intention of meeting a £5bn asking price.

As per Al Jazeera, at least one bid to have come in from an interested party has been in the region of £4.5bn, so it seems as though the Glazers could be close to getting what they want.

However, the exact figure wanted remains not entirely set in stone and even if Sheikh Jassim changes his initial plan and is willing to pay well over £5bn for Manchester United, there is no guarantee the Glazers will sell.

All in all, it's been a long process and it's likely that fans of the Red Devils will just be desperate to know who is going to own their club next season.

There is no answer to that just yet but with a new bid soon to be made, perhaps things will become more clear in the near future.

Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey has praised in-form teammate Ollie Watkins on Instagram after the striker impressed yet again this weekend.

What's the latest on Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa?

It's been a fine few months for the Villans under Unai Emery and this was well summed up with their Premier League win on Saturday.

Indeed, playing host to Champions League hopefuls Newcastle United, the home side brushed past the Magpies with a comfortable 3-0 win.

At the very heart of the display was Watkins who set up the first goal for Jacob Ramsey before getting his name on the score sheet with two second-half efforts.

The £75k-p/w star has been in fine form and it seems as though his teammates are happy to dish out the praise.

Indeed, Watkins took to Instagram to share a picture of himself with the caption: "2 goals, 1 assist and most importantly a huge 3 points."

Bailey then added his own comment, writing: "Out of this world atp!!!"

How many goals has Watkins scored for Emery?

With that being his 11th goal in his last 12 league games, Watkins has been symbolic of the brilliant form Villa have found under their new manager.

Indeed, under Emery, the 27-year-old has directly contributed to 17 goals in 19 matches (with four of those being assists).

Such form has understandably fired Villa up the table from being potentially relegation-threatened under former coach Steven Gerrard, to now within six points of a Champions League spot.

Watkins has more combined goals and assists since the turn of the year (14) than Erling Haaland (13). He explained his improved form when talking to the press recently (via BirminghamLive).

Indeed, he said: “I’m being smart with my runs. Before maybe I was running into the channels and into the corners and doing a lot of work for the team. Now I’m staying within the width of the box and timing my runs.

“I work on specific movements during the week and try to replicate it in the game. When the players get [the ball] I know what to do. I stay patient even if I’m not getting the ball because it only takes one moment to drop and you’ve got to take it. It’s about having a clear mindset and being ready when the opportunity comes.”

With all that in mind, it's little wonder Villa teammates such as Bailey are so happy to dish out the praise publically.